United Kingdom police on Saturday arrested about 300 people during a protest in central London against the government’s ban on the pro-Palestinian group, Palestine Action.
The organisation was proscribed in July under the UK’s anti-terrorism legislation after some of its members stormed a Royal Air Force base and damaged military aircraft.
The ban places it in the same category as al-Qaeda and ISIS, making it a crime to support or belong to the group, with penalties of up to 14 years in prison.
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Saturday’s demonstration drew hundreds of protesters near parliament, many carrying placards reading,“I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”
According to the Metropolitan Police, detainees faced charges ranging from assaulting officers to showing support for a banned organisation. The force said its officers endured “an exceptional level of abuse including punches, kicks, spitting, objects being thrown and verbal insults.”
Palestine Action has long accused the British government of complicity in Israeli “war crimes” in Gaza, often targeting UK-based defence companies with ties to Israel. Authorities claim the group has caused millions of pounds in criminal damage.
Over 500 supporters of Palestine Action, many aged over 60 were arrested in a single day last month. More than 100 people have since been charged for displaying support.
While human rights organisations have condemned the ban as excessive and a threat to freedom of expression, the government maintains that it does not prevent other forms of pro-Palestinian protest.
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