Dozens arrested in London protest for supporting banned Palestine Action

More than 20 individuals, with reports indicating at least 27, have been arrested in London today on suspicion of terrorism offenses, just hours after the UK government officially proscribed the direct action group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization.

The ban, which came into effect at midnight, makes membership of or expressing support for the group a criminal offense, punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Police confirmed that arrests were made in Parliament Square, where supporters of the now-banned group gathered, some holding placards stating, "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action."

Among those reportedly detained were an 83-year-old priest and health professionals, highlighting the controversial nature of the proscription. The Metropolitan Police issued a statement confirming arrests were being made, emphasizing that "Palestine Action is a proscribed group and officers will act where criminal offences are committed." This includes chanting, wearing clothing, or displaying articles associated with the group.

The drastic move by the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, follows a recent incident at an RAF Brize Norton base where activists allegedly caused £7 million in damage to two aircraft in protest of the UK's military support for 'Israel'. Cooper had stated that violence and criminal damage had no place in legitimate protest and that Palestine Action had a "long history of unacceptable criminal damage."

Palestine Action, co-founded by Huda Ammori, had launched a last-minute legal challenge at the High Court in London on Friday to block the ban, arguing it was an "ill-considered," "discriminatory," and "authoritarian abuse of statutory power." They maintained that as a civil disobedience group, they do not advocate for violence. However, both the High Court and a subsequent appeal to the Court of Appeal rejected their bid for interim relief, allowing the proscription to proceed.

The addition of Palestine Action to the list of 81 other organizations banned under the Terrorism Act 2000 has drawn widespread condemnation from UN experts, civil liberties organizations, and hundreds of lawyers. Critics denounce the decision as "draconian," warning that it sets a dangerous precedent by conflating protest with terrorism and could have a "chilling effect" on free speech and the right to protest in the UK.

Palestine Action has declared its intention to seek an "urgent appeal to prevent a dystopian nightmare" and plans to apply for permission to launch a judicial review to overturn the order, with another court hearing scheduled for July 21.