The Organization of Defend Our Juries, which prepared the event, said that about 700 participants took part in the protest. At some point, more than 100 of them simultaneously revealed banners with the inscription: “I oppose the genocide. I support Palestine Action.” The police indicated that a large number of banners promoting this forbidden group were found during the demonstration.
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Belonging is punished
Representatives of the services explained that the Palestine Action Group was banned by the British authorities in July this year pursuant to the Act on terrorism of 2000. This decision means that both belonging to the organization and its support are treated as a crime for which he is punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Metropolitan police confirm that despite the outlaws, activists organized subsequent protests that ended in detention. During earlier demonstrations, over 200 people were arrested, of which two 70-year-olds and a 50-year-old heard allegations related to supporting Palestine Action. Their case went to the Westminster District Court on September 16.
The ban on the group's activity became the result of the events of June, when activists broke into the RAF Briaze Norton base, where they damaged two military Voyager aircraft, covered with red paint. Damage was valued at 7 million pounds. Palestine Action confessed to this act of provocation, which caused a deep discussion around social protests and the issues of national security. British deputies voted almost unanimously for the delegation of the group.
On Saturday, in parallel with the demonstration to the Square Parliament, the Palestinian Coalition marched through the streets of London. The police detained one person for showing a banner expressing support for Palestine Action. Talks on the legality of the activities of services and the limits of freedom of expression in Great Britain will probably be continued in the coming months at the political and social forum.
