Police have detained activists from the „Defend Our Juries” campaign outside New Scotland Yard after they handed out leaflets calling on police officers to join the banned group.
Thousands have been prosecuted under anti-terrorism laws for opposing the ban on Palestine Action, according to „Defend Our Juries.” (Reuters)
Police arrested 14 activists in central London on Sunday after they staged a protest to mark the one-year anniversary of the banning of Palestine Action, calling on police to join the banned group.
Standing outside New Scotland Yard, the Metropolitan Police headquarters, activists from the group „Defend Our Juries” distributed leaflets calling on serving officers to join Palestine Action.
Police arrested the protesters under Section 12 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, which makes it a crime to call for support for a banned organisation and is punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
The arrests mark an escalation in police action surrounding the campaign.
In their previous protests, police relied largely on Section 13 of the Counter-Terrorism Act, which makes it a crime to display objects or symbols that raise reasonable suspicion of support for the banned organisation, after protesters held up signs supporting Palestine Action.
Among those arrested on Saturday was the Reverend Sue Parfitt, an 83-year-old Anglican minister and long-time peace activist.
Defend Our Juries said it was organising the protest to mark one year since the launch of its "Saving Lives is Not Terrorism" campaign, which it claims has led to more than 3,500 arrests under anti-terrorism legislation.
„This action represents a significant escalation in the »Saving Lives is Not Terrorism« campaign,” said a spokesperson for the group.
„It may seem like a joke to call on the police to join Palestine Action, but the police didn’t see the funny side of it. Everyone was arrested under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act. 14 years in prison is no joke.”
The spokesman called on police to instead investigate the British activities of Elbit Systems, which the group describes as a major supplier of drones to the Israeli military, rather than arresting pro-Palestinian protesters.
„The continued attempt to silence peaceful resistance to genocide will continue to backfire,” the spokesman said. „Britain is a country of decent people who are appalled by Israel’s crimes against humanity. The more the Labour government tries to cover up its complicity with repression, the faster the resistance movement will grow.”
The protest is a continuation of a year-long campaign in which „Defend Our Juries” repeatedly challenged the government over its decision to ban Palestine Action by encouraging supporters to participate in civil disobedience actions and risk arrest.
The Metropolitan Police did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.
