Police have arrested almost 500 people in London at what organisers hoped would be the biggest demonstration so far against a ban on the proscribed organisation Palestine Action.
Officers began arresting demonstrators at the silent vigil in support of the group, which has been classed by the UK government as a terror organisation since July this year.
The first arrest took place shortly after 1pm as the seated protesters took out pens and wrote signs showing support for Palestine Action. Dozens of police were lined up to begin arresting members of the group, who were sitting silently on the pavement in the square.
When simply being anti-genocide leads to you being arrested, your government is pro-genocide by definition.
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These people are protesting about the genocide, but also protesting against the proscribing of Palestine Action, and shining a spotlight on the draconian laws which means that the government can proscribe any organisation they don’t like, and arrest everyone who shows vague support for them.
They know they will get arrested doing this, but there’s no legal way of protesting the proscribing.
They know they will get arrested doing this, but there’s no legal way of protesting the proscribing.
Technically yes their is. All the arrests I’ve seen openly state they support PA. That is the only crime. (A fucking unacceptable crime I’ll agree.).
But it is not the only way to protest.
“I oppose genercide and governments proscribing any organisation for criminal damage”
“Criminal Damage is not terrorism”
Are just 2 out of many ,any ways to word the objection without stating you support the banned organisation.
Of course being arrested has its own value in a protest. But the statement their is no other choice is false.
Yeah, I guess you could protest the general concept without mentioning Palestine Action, but as soon as it’s about Palestine Action, it would become illegal.
Yeah. I’m in no way supporting the law.
And large numbers of arrests are in itself an effective protest. As it costs the government to do it.
But it is also important to make clear to those that are unable to be imprisoned. IE due to family obligations or other limitations.
That other options are very available. And dispite their obligations. Their protest involvement is very welcome.
Sure buddy, but for me anti genocide protestors of whatever affiliation are welcome, no matter what the pigs label them.
But you said “simply being anti-genocide” which is plain not what happened. People who wrote “I oppose genocide” without “I support Palestine action” did not get arrested.
Is that sustainable? Where are they keeping all these people? At what cost?
According to BBC News, about 200 of them had already been released on bail by the end of the night (which, for Americans reading, does not involve handing over any money in the UK). I imagine most of the rest will get the same within the next couple of days
weird how starmer can do the same thing palestine action did but get named prime minister.
“They can’t arrest us all!”
Well, actually…
Where the fuck do they take 500 people? How big is the London holding cells? Jesus Christ.
The Met have 30 custody suites, the BTP and Border Force have one apiece in London.
Most of them were instantly released on bail.
