British police detained over 20 people in London on Saturday for reportedly backing the newly banned group Palestine Action, just hours after the group’s inclusion on the terrorism list officially came into force.
The UK government took the decision to proscribe Palestine Action last month after its activists infiltrated a Royal Air Force base and vandalized two aircraft in protest of Britain’s claimed support for Israel. The proscription was carried out under the nation’s anti-terror legislation, which makes it a criminal offence to have an opinion favorable towards the group, wear symbols, or promote them punishable by up to 14 years behind bars and/or a fine.
Late on Friday evening, the group lost an emergency court appeal to block the ban, and the act took effect at midnight. By Saturday, supporters congregated in London’s Parliament Square, some with placards stating “I OPPOSE GENOCIDE. I SUPPORT PALESTINE ACTION.” Sky News footage depicted a number of people being arrested near the Mahatma Gandhi statue as chanting support for the group.
Palestine Action has long targeted Israel-affiliated companies in the UK. While Home Secretary Yvette Cooper argued its violent tactics justified the terror designation, critics including UN experts and civil liberties advocates say the proscription blurs the line between criminal damage and terrorism.
Meanwhile, five Youth Demand activists of pro-Palestinian affinities disrupted London’s Pride parade by splattering red paint on a Cisco truck and sticking themselves to it. Youth Demand had accused Cisco of providing technology that is utilized by Israel and asserted that their action was in protest against “crimes against humanity.”
The parade continued after arrests were made, police affirmed. Cisco has yet to comment on the incident.
The clampdown has raised questions about freedom of protest and political opposition amid lingering tensions in the UK over the Gaza dispute.
