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Wales Online
3 days ago
- Politics
- Wales Online
Welsh language activism 'no different' to Palestine Action 'terrorism' ex police boss says
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A retired police chief and former Welsh language campaigner has slammed the authorities for their approach to banned group Palestine Action. Arfon Jones drew parallels with historic Welsh language campaigns in which scores of activists were arrested for non-violent direct action. Mr Jones, from Wrexham, said he was among those who, in the 1970s, campaigned for Welsh language rights as members of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (Welsh Language Society). 'Some were imprisoned for their activities,' he said. 'None, however, were stigmatised by the British state as terrorists!' On July 5, the UK Government proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist group after members of the network damaged RAF aircraft at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire. Under the Terrorism Act of 2000, it made group membership a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Since then, police have arrested scores of people for showing support to Palestine Action. Last weekend alone, 474 people were arrested during a 'Lift the Ban' sit-in at Parliament Square (Saturday, August 9). The demonstration had echoes of the first ever protest staged by Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg: in February 1963, members staged a sit-down blocking Pont Trefechan bridge, Aberystwyth. From demanding the right to court summonses in Welsh, the society moved on to campaign successfully for bilingual road signs followed by action over holiday homes and Welsh language media. Over the decades, more than 1,000 supporters of the society appeared before the courts, making it Britain's largest protest group since the Suffragettes. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now (Image: Geoff Charles/National Library of Wales/Wiki) Some members were jailed but none were ever officially labelled terrorists by the government, said Mr Jones, a former Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales Police. He also served as an operational inspector at the force before retiring in 2008, and now describes himself as a "social issues commentator". In a letter to the Daily Post he wrote: 'What language campaigners were doing in the 60s, 70s and 80s was no different to what Palestine Action was doing prior to it being proscribed for protesting against a genocide the British state is complicit in. 'Both were using non-violent, direct action against property, and proscription was unreasonable, unjustified and disproportionate. 'This comparison gives some indication of how far the British state has moved from a social democratic tolerant and progressive state in the 1970s, to a right-wing autocratic and oppressive state in 2025, where a Nazi salute is tolerated but protesting a genocide is not. 'The Home Secretary and the Police Service should hang their heads in shame for harassing and arresting honourable and principled individuals who are willing to sacrifice their freedom for the cause of humanity.' The Home Office was approached for a response. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said many people were not aware of the 'reality' of Palestine Action's true purpose. In the wake of the ongoing Gaza war, the group has become more active but it insists its approach is "non-violent". The Home Secretary said: 'The right to protest is one we protect fiercely but this is very different from displaying support for this one specific and narrow, proscribed organisation. "Palestine Action was proscribed based on strong security advice following serious attacks the group has committed, involving violence, significant injuries and extensive criminal damage. "It also follows an assessment from the Joint Terrorism Assessment Centre that the group prepares for terrorism, as well as concerning information referencing plans and ideas for further attacks, the details of which cannot yet be publicly reported due to ongoing legal proceedings. 'Many people may not yet know the reality of this organisation, but the assessments are very clear - this is not a non-violent organisation. UK national security and public safety must always be our top priority. 'Their actions are not about the horrific suffering in the Middle East and do not reflect or represent the thousands of people across the country who are exercising their rights to protest peacefully.' The National Police Chiefs' Council, and the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, were also approached for a comment. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Find out what's happening near you
North Wales Live
3 days ago
- Politics
- North Wales Live
Welsh language activism 'no different' to Palestine Action 'terrorism' ex police boss says
A retired police chief and former Welsh language campaigner has slammed the authorities for their approach to banned group Palestine Action. Arfon Jones drew parallels with historic Welsh language campaigns in which scores of activists were arrested for non-violent direct action. Mr Jones, from Wrexham, said he was among those who, in the 1970s, campaigned for Welsh language rights as members of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (Welsh Language Society). 'Some were imprisoned for their activities,' he said. 'None, however, were stigmatised by the British state as terrorists!' On July 5, the UK Government proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist group after members of the network damaged RAF aircraft at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire. Under the Terrorism Act of 2000, it made group membership a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Since then, police have arrested scores of people for showing support to Palestine Action. Last weekend alone, 474 people were arrested during a 'Lift the Ban' sit-in at Parliament Square (Saturday, August 9). The demonstration had echoes of the first ever protest staged by Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg: in February 1963, members staged a sit-down blocking Pont Trefechan bridge, Aberystwyth. From demanding the right to court summonses in Welsh, the society moved on to campaign successfully for bilingual road signs followed by action over holiday homes and Welsh language media. Over the decades, more than 1,000 supporters of the society appeared before the courts, making it Britain's largest protest group since the Suffragettes. Some members were jailed but none were ever officially labelled terrorists by the government, said Mr Jones, a former Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales Police. He also served as an operational inspector at the force before retiring in 2008, and now describes himself as a "social issues commentator". In a letter to the Daily Post he wrote: 'What language campaigners were doing in the 60s, 70s and 80s was no different to what Palestine Action was doing prior to it being proscribed for protesting against a genocide the British state is complicit in. 'Both were using non-violent, direct action against property, and proscription was unreasonable, unjustified and disproportionate. 'This comparison gives some indication of how far the British state has moved from a social democratic tolerant and progressive state in the 1970s, to a right-wing autocratic and oppressive state in 2025, where a Nazi salute is tolerated but protesting a genocide is not. 'The Home Secretary and the Police Service should hang their heads in shame for harassing and arresting honourable and principled individuals who are willing to sacrifice their freedom for the cause of humanity.' The Home Office was approached for a response. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said many people were not aware of the 'reality' of Palestine Action's true purpose. In the wake of the ongoing Gaza war, the group has become more active but it insists its approach is "non-violent". The Home Secretary said: 'The right to protest is one we protect fiercely but this is very different from displaying support for this one specific and narrow, proscribed organisation. "Palestine Action was proscribed based on strong security advice following serious attacks the group has committed, involving violence, significant injuries and extensive criminal damage. "It also follows an assessment from the Joint Terrorism Assessment Centre that the group prepares for terrorism, as well as concerning information referencing plans and ideas for further attacks, the details of which cannot yet be publicly reported due to ongoing legal proceedings. 'Many people may not yet know the reality of this organisation, but the assessments are very clear - this is not a non-violent organisation. UK national security and public safety must always be our top priority. 'Their actions are not about the horrific suffering in the Middle East and do not reflect or represent the thousands of people across the country who are exercising their rights to protest peacefully.'
