Palestine Action Protests Seek to Render UK Ban Unenforceable
Following the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organization by the UK government, supporters plan protests to challenge the ban's enforcement.
In response to Palestine Action being proscribed as a terrorist organization by the UK government on July 5th, supporters of the group are organizing protests to effectively render the ban unenforceable.
The group's founder, Huda Ammori, encouraged over 200 individuals during a Zoom meeting to participate in demonstrations this weekend in London and other locations, according to The Times.Ammori emphasized the collective strength of the movement, stating that 'My faith in people like you all is at an all-time high.
We're a force to be reckoned with when we act together.' She highlighted actions led by Defend Our Juries, which has focused on making the ban unenforceable through civil disobedience and protests against the legal system's treatment of activists.Defend Our Juries originally aimed at persuading juries not to convict climate activists for disruptive activities in the UK.
During the Zoom meeting, a member from this group suggested that participants seek arrest, noting that the police 'take a soft approach' towards such conscientious protests.
This strategy seeks to challenge the authorities with increased public presence and potentially undermine the effectiveness of the ban on Palestine Action.The call for protest comes after 29 demonstrators were arrested last week in Westminster for supporting Palestine Action, including an 83-year-old Church of England priest.
This situation has placed the Metropolitan Police commissioner in a difficult position, as he faces criticism over the arrest of an elderly opponent to what they view as genocide.
The police are caught between enforcing what may be perceived as unjust laws and appearing indifferent.Palestine Action was banned on July 5th after members of the group broke into a Royal Air Force base at Brize Norton, causing vandalism to military aircraft.
Under the ban, supporting the group can result in up to a 14-year prison sentence.
However, protesters are using encrypted communication platforms like Signal to coordinate further demonstrations across different UK cities.Ammori, who is of Palestinian-Iraqi heritage, advocates for protests that could disrupt the UK court system significantly if many people are arrested under the Terrorism Act.
The first protest in London is set to take place on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Parliament Square, where attendees will be provided with placards, legal information, and prepared statements to use if they are detained.Instructions included in a nine-page document emphasize the importance of using alternative communication methods such as burner phones and provide guidance for what to do upon arrest, including 'going floppy' when restrained by police.
This tactic is intended to attract media attention and draw public support.An activist with over 100 arrests under their name encouraged participants not to let fear prevail, viewing direct action as an effective antidote to feelings of hopelessness or depression.
The group's founder, Huda Ammori, encouraged over 200 individuals during a Zoom meeting to participate in demonstrations this weekend in London and other locations, according to The Times.Ammori emphasized the collective strength of the movement, stating that 'My faith in people like you all is at an all-time high.
We're a force to be reckoned with when we act together.' She highlighted actions led by Defend Our Juries, which has focused on making the ban unenforceable through civil disobedience and protests against the legal system's treatment of activists.Defend Our Juries originally aimed at persuading juries not to convict climate activists for disruptive activities in the UK.
During the Zoom meeting, a member from this group suggested that participants seek arrest, noting that the police 'take a soft approach' towards such conscientious protests.
This strategy seeks to challenge the authorities with increased public presence and potentially undermine the effectiveness of the ban on Palestine Action.The call for protest comes after 29 demonstrators were arrested last week in Westminster for supporting Palestine Action, including an 83-year-old Church of England priest.
This situation has placed the Metropolitan Police commissioner in a difficult position, as he faces criticism over the arrest of an elderly opponent to what they view as genocide.
The police are caught between enforcing what may be perceived as unjust laws and appearing indifferent.Palestine Action was banned on July 5th after members of the group broke into a Royal Air Force base at Brize Norton, causing vandalism to military aircraft.
Under the ban, supporting the group can result in up to a 14-year prison sentence.
However, protesters are using encrypted communication platforms like Signal to coordinate further demonstrations across different UK cities.Ammori, who is of Palestinian-Iraqi heritage, advocates for protests that could disrupt the UK court system significantly if many people are arrested under the Terrorism Act.
The first protest in London is set to take place on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Parliament Square, where attendees will be provided with placards, legal information, and prepared statements to use if they are detained.Instructions included in a nine-page document emphasize the importance of using alternative communication methods such as burner phones and provide guidance for what to do upon arrest, including 'going floppy' when restrained by police.
This tactic is intended to attract media attention and draw public support.An activist with over 100 arrests under their name encouraged participants not to let fear prevail, viewing direct action as an effective antidote to feelings of hopelessness or depression.
