More than 100 individuals have been apprehended by law enforcement following a demonstration outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London on suspicion of endorsing Palestine Action. A total of 117 people were taken into custody after protestors congregated outside the court where judges affirmed the legality of designating the organization as a terrorist entity.
During the demonstration, protestors were observed being removed by police, some of whom carried placards stating “I support Palestine Action.” Simultaneously, in a neighboring courtroom, five Court of Appeal judges upheld the decision to proscribe the group, which went into effect on July 5 last year, deeming it a justified and proportionate restriction on freedom of expression.
Earlier in February, a ruling by three High Court judges deemed the ban on Palestine Action, imposed by the then-home secretary Yvette Cooper, as illegal following a challenge from the group’s co-founder, Huda Ammori. However, this ruling was overturned today by the Court of Appeal judges.
The ban makes it a criminal offense to be a member of or provide assistance to the direct action group, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 14 years. The ban has persisted as the Home Office successfully appealed the February ruling today.
Among those detained by the police were participants of various backgrounds, including an elderly woman in dark blue scrubs identifying herself as a retired doctor. Law enforcement authorities emphasized that supporting the organization remains illegal, and individuals contravening the law will be arrested.
A total of 117 individuals were arrested by police during a protest outside the Royal Courts of Justice, with an additional two people detained by City of London Police at a demonstration near the Old Bailey. Since the group’s proscription, the Metropolitan Police has arrested over 3,000 individuals suspected of endorsing Palestine Action.