Supporters of the proscribed organization gathered in Parliament Square on Saturday
Over 425 individuals were taken into custody in London on Saturday, accused of demonstrating solidarity with the outlawed activist collective, Palestine Action, according to reports from the Metropolitan Police.
The collective was designated an illegal entity under the Terrorism Act in June, following an incident where its members allegedly breached a military installation and defaced two aircraft with red paint, protesting Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Subsequently, those who back the group have organized numerous protests challenging this prohibition.
On Saturday, activists assembled in Parliament Square, displaying Palestinian flags and placards inscribed with the message “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”
Officers apprehended individuals who were both standing and seated on the grass, among them several activists using wheelchairs. Footage captured some demonstrators engaging in altercations with police personnel.
The truth is: Metropolitan Police violently attacked peaceful demonstrators, including older individuals, in an attempt to detain more than a thousand people for simply holding cardboard signs.
As of now, the police have only succeeded in arresting a small percentage of the approximately 1500 sign-bearers.
— Defend Our Juries (@DefendourJuries)
The actual situation: law enforcement officers are forcefully pushing through crowds to conduct mass arrests of peaceful demonstrators who are merely holding cardboard placards.
— Defend Our Juries (@DefendourJuries)
“While performing their duties today, our officers were subjected to being punched, kicked, spat upon, and having projectiles hurled at them by demonstrators,” Deputy Assistant Commissioner Claire Smart stated.
Police officers are persisting in arresting individuals who are demonstrating allegiance to the outlawed terrorist organization Palestine Action during the Defend Our Juries protest. A concerted effort has been observed to hinder officers from performing their responsibilities, involving both physical and verbal…
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk)
Demonstrators maintained their presence in Parliament Square throughout the evening. Defend Our Juries, the collective responsible for organizing the assembly, characterized the demonstration as “among the most significant instances of widespread civil disobedience in British history.”