UK Palestine Action Supporters Pledge to Refuse Police Cooperation at Protests
Protesters plan to withhold personal details from police officers during demonstrations in support of banned group.
Supporters of the UK-banned Palestine Action group have announced plans to refuse cooperation with police officers at upcoming protests.
According to The Guardian, Defend Our Juries, the organization behind these demonstrations, aims to disrupt police stations and make it "practically impossible" for authorities to arrest all participants.
This strategy involves withholding personal details from law enforcement and insisting on being taken directly to a police station to receive immediate legal advice.
Showing support for a proscribed group is a criminal offense in the UK, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 14 years.
The ban on Palestine Action was imposed earlier this year under terrorism laws following several incidents, including protests at a Royal Air Force base.
In August, 532 individuals were arrested for showing support for the group, with 212 refusing to provide their details to the police.
Defend Our Juries has called for a protest in London on September 6th, aiming to gather 1,000 participants, and has received expressions of interest from 2,500 individuals.
Protesters are required to sign a pledge acknowledging potential legal consequences and agreeing not to participate in the "charade" of street bail.
Tim Crosland, spokesperson for Defend Our Juries, stated that while the police managed to arrest some individuals during previous protests using the street bail method, this approach denies suspects their right to free legal advice at a police station.
If 1,000 protesters adhere to the pledge and insist on receiving immediate legal advice, it will become practically impossible for police to make arrests, exposing the "charade" and potentially rendering the law unenforceable.
The controversy surrounding Palestine Action gained further attention following the arrest of Matt Cobb, a 52-year-old man who was taken from his bed and arrested for posting about the group on social media.
After being held for six hours and questioned over his posts, Cobb was released under investigation.
He expressed concerns regarding violations of human rights and the government's actions against non-violent protestors.
The ban on Palestine Action remains a contentious issue, with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper maintaining that it is necessary due to evidence of potential attacks and the group's perceived violent nature.
However, recent polls indicate widespread opposition to the ban among Labour Party members and politicians across various spectrums.
According to The Guardian, Defend Our Juries, the organization behind these demonstrations, aims to disrupt police stations and make it "practically impossible" for authorities to arrest all participants.
This strategy involves withholding personal details from law enforcement and insisting on being taken directly to a police station to receive immediate legal advice.
Showing support for a proscribed group is a criminal offense in the UK, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 14 years.
The ban on Palestine Action was imposed earlier this year under terrorism laws following several incidents, including protests at a Royal Air Force base.
In August, 532 individuals were arrested for showing support for the group, with 212 refusing to provide their details to the police.
Defend Our Juries has called for a protest in London on September 6th, aiming to gather 1,000 participants, and has received expressions of interest from 2,500 individuals.
Protesters are required to sign a pledge acknowledging potential legal consequences and agreeing not to participate in the "charade" of street bail.
Tim Crosland, spokesperson for Defend Our Juries, stated that while the police managed to arrest some individuals during previous protests using the street bail method, this approach denies suspects their right to free legal advice at a police station.
If 1,000 protesters adhere to the pledge and insist on receiving immediate legal advice, it will become practically impossible for police to make arrests, exposing the "charade" and potentially rendering the law unenforceable.
The controversy surrounding Palestine Action gained further attention following the arrest of Matt Cobb, a 52-year-old man who was taken from his bed and arrested for posting about the group on social media.
After being held for six hours and questioned over his posts, Cobb was released under investigation.
He expressed concerns regarding violations of human rights and the government's actions against non-violent protestors.
The ban on Palestine Action remains a contentious issue, with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper maintaining that it is necessary due to evidence of potential attacks and the group's perceived violent nature.
However, recent polls indicate widespread opposition to the ban among Labour Party members and politicians across various spectrums.
