London: More than 100 people were arrested outside the Royal Courts of Justice on Monday, amidst a protest against the ruling that upheld the ban on Palestine Action as a terror group. According to the police, 117 individuals were detained on suspicion of expressing support for a proscribed group.
According to Ghana News Agency, the protest unfolded as judges at the Court of Appeal ruled that the ban imposed on Palestine Action was lawful. The prohibition, in effect since July 5 of the previous year, criminalizes membership and support for the group, carrying a penalty of up to 14 years in prison. The court's decision overturned a previous High Court ruling from February, which had deemed the ban unlawful following a legal challenge by Huda Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action.
The protest outside the court saw individuals being carried away by police, including an elderly woman in blue scrubs with a sign identifying her as a 'retired doctor.' Demonstrators held signs reading, 'I support Palestine Action,' as they faced law enforcement intervention.
A spokesperson for the Met Police confirmed the arrests, acknowledging the Court of Appeal's judgment that backed the Home Secretary's decision to proscribe Palestine Action. The spokesperson stated, "This means that expressing support for the organisation remains a criminal offence, and officers will arrest those who break the law."
The recent arrests add to the notable number of detentions related to expressing support for Palestine Action. Prior to Monday's protest, the Met Police had made 3,017 arrests, resulting in 1,943 charges. Additionally, two more arrests were made by City of London Police during a protest outside the Old Bailey on the same day.