Over 70 Arrested at UK Protests Supporting Banned Palestine Action Group

More than 70 individuals were arrested in the United Kingdom during protests supporting the group Palestine Action, which was recently designated a terrorist organization by the British government. The protests took place on Saturday, following a break-in and vandalism incident at a Royal Air Force base that occurred in June.

In London, the Metropolitan Police reported that by late afternoon, they had arrested **42 individuals**. Most arrests stemmed from supporters of the proscribed organization, involving actions such as chanting, wearing specific clothing, or displaying flags and signs associated with Palestine Action. One protester was detained for common assault. Additionally, **16 arrests** were made in Manchester, according to Greater Manchester Police, while South Wales Police reported **13 arrests** in Cardiff.

Details of the Protests

This marked the second consecutive week of protests in London in support of Palestine Action. The recent designation as a proscribed group has criminalized support for its activities, leading to heightened tensions during demonstrations. Last weekend, police apprehended **29 protesters** at a similar gathering.

In Parliament Square, demonstrators gathered beneath the statues of **Mahatma Gandhi** and **Nelson Mandela**, holding signs that read, “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.” The protesters remained silent as police officers and media surrounded them. Some participants lay down on the ground as police conducted searches, while others were seen being carried away to police vans parked nearby.

The British government officially classified Palestine Action as a proscribed organization earlier this month under the **Terrorism Act 2000**. This classification means that membership and support for the group can lead to sentences of up to **14 years in prison**. Currently, there are **81 organizations** on the U.K. proscribed list, including militant groups such as **Hamas** and **al-Qaida**.

Background on the Group’s Designation

The ban on Palestine Action follows a high-profile incident on **June 20, 2023**, when activists broke into the **Royal Air Force** base in **Brize Norton**, Oxfordshire. They caused significant damage to two military planes, estimated at **£7 million** ($9.4 million), using red paint and crowbars to express opposition to the U.K. government’s military support of Israel amid ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Four individuals, aged between **22 and 35**, have been charged with conspiracy related to the incident. They are set to appear at the **Central Criminal Court** in London, commonly known as the Old Bailey, on **July 18, 2023**.

The government’s decision to classify Palestine Action as a terrorist organization has raised concerns about freedom of expression and the implications for pro-Palestinian activism in the U.K. As the situation evolves, both supporters and critics of the designation continue to express their views in a charged political climate.