- The rally on Thursday outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court was organised by the Defend Our Juries activist group.
- British Police have made dozens of arrests as crowds gathered outside a London courthouse to declare support for Palestine Action, which is proscribed as a "terrorist" organisation in the UK.
- In a post on X, London's Metropolitan Police Service stated that expressing support for Palestine Action is an offence under the Terrorism Act.
- The demonstration in London is the first in support of Palestine Action since Andy Burnham became prime minister earlier this month and leader of the Labour Party.
- The leader of the UK Green Party, Zack Polanski, has demanded that Burnham reverse Palestine Action's proscription.
- Polanski stated, "It is within the Prime Ministers power to scrap this proscription and end these dystopian scenes for good. There is simply no excuse in a democracy for a crackdown in support for protest groups like this," in a post on X.
- Defend Our Juries sarcastically criticised the UK's terrorism laws, which outlaw expressing support for Palestine Action.
Dozens of arrests were made by British police during a rally in London supporting Palestine Action, which is deemed a "terrorist" organization under the Terrorism Act. The demonstration, organized by Defend Our Juries, took place outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court, coinciding with the start of hearings against individuals charged for expressing support for the group.123
The Metropolitan Police stated, "Expressing support for Palestine Action is an offence under the Terrorism Act. Officers have begun making arrests," highlighting the legal ramifications of the protest. Activists gathered to voice their dissent, with Defend Our Juries declaring, "hundreds are outside Westminster Magistrates today to say this is not terrorism!"
This rally marks the first significant demonstration since Andy Burnham assumed the role of Prime Minister and Labour Party leader earlier this month. Burnham has faced criticism for his administration's stance on Palestine Action, with Zack Polanski, leader of the UK Green Party, urging him to reverse the group's proscription. He stated, "It is within the Prime Ministers power to scrap this proscription and end these dystopian scenes for good. There is simply no excuse in a democracy for a crackdown in support for protest groups like this," emphasizing the need for democratic freedoms.456
The protest reflects growing tensions surrounding the UK’s approach to dissent and the implications of its terrorism laws, which have been criticized for stifling free expression.
“The demonstration marks the first support rally for Palestine Action since Andy Burnham became prime minister, with activists arguing that the proscription is undemocratic. Zack Polanski, leader of the UK Green Party, has called for Burnham to reverse the proscription, stating, "There is simply no excuse in a democracy for a crackdown in support for protest groups like this."”
