At least 425 people were arrested after they held demonstrations on Saturday to protest the British government’s ban of the campaign group Palestine Action.
The protestors, in the hundreds, chose the Parliament Square in central London as their gathering spot, holding placards that read: “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.”
At least 25 others were arrested for attacking police officers and committing other public offences, says the Metropolitan Police. The Met reported their officers were the victims of “an exceptional level of abuse” at the rally.
Palestine Action was barred under the Terrorism Act in July and membership or support a criminal offence by the British government, with a punishment of being imprisoned for up to 14 years.
The rally was organised by Defend Our Juries, who said in response that peaceful protestors were violently attacked by the police. It posted a footage of an elderly protestor being shoved to the ground by an officer.
The protestors held placards in support of the proscribed group, while many stood in solidarity but did not hold signs, reports the BBC.
The protest on Saturday follows the arrest of over 500 people last month, were they held placards in support of Palestine Action. Almost 150 of the people arrested in the August rally were between the ages of 60 and 69, and the average age was 54.
Tensions between the officers and demonstrators grew, especially as protestors chanted “you’re supporting genocide” at the law enforcers. The Met force was later joined by the City of London Police officers at the square.
The Palestine Action was allowed to appeal against its ban after being reported as a terror legislation. The British Home Office was permitted to challenge the ruling earlier this week. Huda Ammori’s –the organisation’s co-founder—lawyers’ opposed the ban in July after claiming it violated the right to free speech, following which she was granted permission to appeal.
