Police arrested 890 demonstrators at a central London rally protesting against the banning of Palestine Action as a terror group. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the large-scale arrests following Saturday's demonstration in Parliament Square, Westminster, which drew an estimated 1,500 participants.
The vast majority of arrests related to showing support for a proscribed organisation, with 857 people detained on this charge. A further 33 people were arrested for assaulting police officers and other public order offences.
Police describe coordinated violence
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Claire Smart said officers faced coordinated violence from masked protesters intent on creating disorder. "The violence we encountered during the operation was co-ordinated and carried out by a group of people, many wearing masks to conceal their identity, intent on creating as much disorder as possible," she said.
Smart contrasted the Palestine Action protest with other demonstrations policed the same day, including a Palestine Coalition march attended by around 20,000 people. She emphasised that people can express support for causes without committing terrorism offences or resorting to violence, stating that many of those responsible for disorder have now been arrested with charges being secured.
Organisers dispute police account
Campaign group Defend Our Juries, which organised the rally, rejected the police characterisation of events. The group insisted the demonstration was "the picture of peaceful protest" and called on new Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to drop what they described as an "unenforceable" ban.
The organisers challenged the police narrative of widespread violence and disorder during the Westminster gathering.
Government maintains tough stance
Defence Secretary John Healey said Mahmood will be "just as tough" on Palestine Action as her predecessor Yvette Cooper, who moved to the Foreign Office in Friday's Cabinet reshuffle. Speaking on Sky News, Healey defended the government's decision to proscribe the group.
"If we want to avoid a two-tier policing and justice system in this country, when people break the law, there have to be consequences," Healey said. He acknowledged shared anguish over images from Gaza but insisted this did not require supporting a proscribed organisation.
Background to the ban
Palestine Action was designated as a terror organisation by the Government in July after the group claimed responsibility for an action on 20th June in which two Voyager aircraft were damaged at RAF Brize Norton. Membership of or support for the group is now a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
The Home Office is set to appeal against a High Court ruling allowing Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori to proceed with a legal challenge against the ban. Ammori took legal action over then-home secretary Yvette Cooper's decision to proscribe the group under anti-terror laws.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
