London: British police have said that they arrested almost 900 people who were demonstrating in London against a ban on the group Palestine Action, which has been deemed a terrorist organisation by the government. Almost 1,600 people have now been detained, many for silently holding signs supporting the group, since it was outlawed two months ago. Protesters say the ban on Palestine Action is an unwarranted curb on free speech and the right to protest.
According to TRTworld.com, the Metropolitan Police force said 890 people were arrested at Saturday's demonstration, the vast majority, 857, under the Terrorism Act for supporting a proscribed organisation. Some 33 were detained for other offences, including 17 for assaulting police officers. Defend Our Juries said aggression had come from police officers and dismissed claims that protesters had been violent as frankly laughable. More than 700 people were arrested at earlier protests, and 138 have been charged under the Terrorism Act.
Mike Higgins, 62, who is blind and uses a wheelchair, was arrested last month but returned to demonstrate on Saturday. "And I'm a terrorist? That's the joke of it," he said. "I've already been arrested under the Terrorism Act and I suspect I will be today. Of course, I'll keep coming back. What choice do I have?"
Palestine Action was banned under the UK's Terrorism Act of 2000. Critics, including the United Nations and several campaign groups, have condemned the ban as legal overreach and a threat to free speech. Proscription made it a crime to publicly support the organisation. Membership of, or support for, the group is punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Palestine Action has won approval from the High Court to challenge the ban, a ruling the government is seeking to overturn. The case is ongoing, with a hearing scheduled for September 25.
