Thousands of Protesters Plan Nationwide Demonstrations Against Palestine Action Ban
Demonstrators across 18 UK towns and cities will rally against the government's decision to proscribe Palestine Action, a group deemed by authorities as a terrorist organization.
The Defend Our Juries movement is organizing nationwide protests in November, spanning 18 locations including Edinburgh, Cardiff, Oxford, Leeds, Aberystwyth, Nottingham, Northampton, Gloucester, Truro, London, Belfast, Manchester, Birmingham, Cambridge, Bristol, Sheffield, Exeter, and Lancaster.
The group anticipates approximately 1,500 participants to join the demonstrations.
UK authorities have arrested over 2,000 individuals since July for allegedly supporting Palestine Action, which has been banned by the government.
Currently, some protesters are detained pre-trial, with several intending to commence hunger strikes this Sunday in protest of their incarceration.
According to Defend Our Juries, the enforcement of the ban varies significantly across different regions, as no arrests have occurred in Northern Ireland while 10 individuals were arrested in Scotland.
Many of those apprehended were accused of displaying placards that stated 'I oppose genocide.
I support Palestine Action.'
Dr. Clive Dolphin, a spokesperson for Defend Our Juries, emphasized the core message behind these protests: "This is about people's rights to protest and speak up against perceived injustices by their government, particularly concerning the conflict in Palestine".
The movement argues that many British citizens oppose the alleged genocide of Palestinians and do not wish to be complicit in war crimes.
Over two years of Israel's military operations in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of more than 65,000 individuals, have sparked numerous rallies across the UK calling for a ceasefire, halting arms sales to Israel, and advocating for Palestinian national rights.
Dr. Dolphin further criticized the overwhelming number of charges against protesters, which he claims is causing significant congestion within the magistrates' court system.
The ban on Palestine Action follows an alleged attack on two planes at RAF Brize Norton in June that caused £7 million ($9.3 million) worth of damages.
Five members face vandalism charges for this incident.
Additionally, 24 individuals are set to stand trial for a break-in at the UK branch of Israel-based defense firm Elbit Systems in Bristol, an event that occurred in August.
Supporting Palestine Action has now been criminalized and is punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
The group's co-founder, Huda Ammori, has initiated legal action against former Home Secretary Yvette Cooper for her decision to classify the organization under anti-terrorism laws.
A court hearing is scheduled to take place later in November.
The group anticipates approximately 1,500 participants to join the demonstrations.
UK authorities have arrested over 2,000 individuals since July for allegedly supporting Palestine Action, which has been banned by the government.
Currently, some protesters are detained pre-trial, with several intending to commence hunger strikes this Sunday in protest of their incarceration.
According to Defend Our Juries, the enforcement of the ban varies significantly across different regions, as no arrests have occurred in Northern Ireland while 10 individuals were arrested in Scotland.
Many of those apprehended were accused of displaying placards that stated 'I oppose genocide.
I support Palestine Action.'
Dr. Clive Dolphin, a spokesperson for Defend Our Juries, emphasized the core message behind these protests: "This is about people's rights to protest and speak up against perceived injustices by their government, particularly concerning the conflict in Palestine".
The movement argues that many British citizens oppose the alleged genocide of Palestinians and do not wish to be complicit in war crimes.
Over two years of Israel's military operations in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of more than 65,000 individuals, have sparked numerous rallies across the UK calling for a ceasefire, halting arms sales to Israel, and advocating for Palestinian national rights.
Dr. Dolphin further criticized the overwhelming number of charges against protesters, which he claims is causing significant congestion within the magistrates' court system.
The ban on Palestine Action follows an alleged attack on two planes at RAF Brize Norton in June that caused £7 million ($9.3 million) worth of damages.
Five members face vandalism charges for this incident.
Additionally, 24 individuals are set to stand trial for a break-in at the UK branch of Israel-based defense firm Elbit Systems in Bristol, an event that occurred in August.
Supporting Palestine Action has now been criminalized and is punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
The group's co-founder, Huda Ammori, has initiated legal action against former Home Secretary Yvette Cooper for her decision to classify the organization under anti-terrorism laws.
A court hearing is scheduled to take place later in November.
