Mass Arrests Continue During Palestine Action Support Protest In London

Arrests were underway outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court as Defend Our Juries escalated its campaign against the ban on Palestine Action.

Hundreds of people gathered from midday for a “Graduation Day” event organized by Defend Our Juries, coinciding with a scheduled review hearing for the prosecution of 1,579 people under section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 for holding signs in support of Palestine Action during silent vigils in Parliament Square last year.

It was understood that around 50 arrests had been made, with further arrests expected during the afternoon. Around 200 people were prepared to read a statement inviting support for Palestine Action.

Before the action began, at least four arrests were reported, including two under section 13 for articles of clothing and two connected to setting up a small stage under an unspecified charge.

From 1 p.m., participants took turns speaking the words: “I support Palestine Action and I encourage everyone to do the same. Saving lives is not terrorism.”

Some participants wore red clothing to echo the red jumpsuits worn during direct actions organized by Palestine Action activists. Those actions targeted weapons factories, aiming to disrupt the supply of arms from the UK to Israel during its genocide against the Palestinian people.

The event followed a Court of Appeal ruling in June that the government’s ban on Palestine Action was lawful. Since then, 96 people have filmed videos posted online inviting support for Palestine Action and expressing membership of the group, with eight arrests made in response.

Richard Whitmore-Jones, 74, a retired company director from Chichester facing charges under section 13 for holding a sign at a vigil last year, said: “Surely it is time for PM Andy Burnham to bring some common sense to this situation and stop the chaos?”

A spokesperson for Defend Our Juries said the arrests were “an assault on our democracy, our civil liberties and our moral obligation to step in to prevent genocide.”