Police arrest more than 70 protestors after latest demonstrations in support of Palestine Action
by LBC Staff · LBCBy LBC Staff
More than 70 people have been arrested in London, Manchester and Cardiff following the latest protests against Palestine Action being designated a terror group.
Listen to this article
Loading audio...
Activists opposed to the proscription of the group descended on Westminster with placards reading: “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.”
MPs overwhelmingly voted in favour of Home Secretary Yvette Cooper's decision to designate the group as a terrorist organisation - a move that had appeals dismissed and was later approved in the Lords.
The decision came after two Palestine Action activists broke into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and sprayed two planes with red paint.
41 of those arrested in London were questioned on suspicion of showing support for a proscribed organisation, while one other was suspected of common assault, the Met said.
Officers could be seen searching the bags of protesters and taking their ID cards.
Some demonstrators were spotted lying on top of each other while police held their handmade signs.
Greater Manchester Police said it arrested 16 people under the Terrorism Act following a protest in St Peter's Square in the city.
Meanwhile South Wales Police made 13 arrests at Central Square in Cardiff for similar alleged offences.
Expressing support for Palestine Action can carry a prison sentence of 14 years following the Home Office’s decision to proscribe the protest group.
Today’s protests comes a week after 29 Palestine Action supporters were arrested under the Terror Act, including an 83-year-old retired priest.
The group appeared to hold signs with the same message as Saturday’s protestors and were quickly swarmed by police officers.
Scotland Yard said its stance remained that officers will act where criminal offences, including support of proscribed groups or organisations, were committed.
The force added that this includes “chanting, wearing clothing or displaying articles such as flags, signs or logos”.
The terror group designation means that membership of, or support for, Palestine Action is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
The move to ban the organisation came after two Voyager aircraft were damaged at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on June 20, an incident claimed by Palestine Action, which police said caused about £7 million worth of damage.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans to proscribe Palestine Action, saying that the vandalism of the planes was “disgraceful” and the group had a “long history of unacceptable criminal damage”.
Veteran protestors told LBC just last week that police forces would be powerless to stop people supporting Palestine Action, making the decision to proscribe the group effectively pointless.