At least 500 people are expected to take part in a pro-Palestine protest on Saturday that could see them arrested under terrorism laws for holding up signs.
The action, which is planned for Westminster, will force police to confront the impact of a new order proscribing protest group Palestine Action as a terror organisation. Activists who oppose the groupâs ban will hold up signs on Saturday expressing support for the organisation, an act which is now an offence under section 13 of the Terrorism Act.
Organisers from Defend our Juries, who are co-ordinating the action, told The Independent that they were âvery confidentâ it would go ahead with at least 500 people involved. Protesters plan to sit together and hold up signs.
But the prime ministerâs spokesperson warned those planning to take part that they may âyet not know the true nature of this organisationâ, telling reporters: âThis is not a peaceful or non-violent protest group.â
A police source also told The Guardian that anyone demonstrating in support of Palestine Action would be arrested at the weekend. They said: âHowever we have to do it, they will be arrested for breaking terrorism lawsâ
Organisers will make a final decision on whether the protest will go ahead tomorrow. The governmentâs proscription of Palestine Action as a terror group is currently being challenged in the High Court, with a court case expected later in the autumn. In a judgement allowing the court case to go ahead, Mr Justice Chamberlain said it was âreasonably arguableâ that the proscription âamounts to a disproportionate interferenceâ of Huda Ammori, the co-founder of the groupâs, rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.
Home secretary Yvette Cooper decided to proscribe the group after activists allegedly broke into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and sprayed two military planes with red paint. Court papers said she was hesistant to proscribe the group, but that the CPS advised acting early to minimise the risk of prejudice in the upcoming trial of Palestine Action protesters in November.
Describing their planned action on Saturday, Tim Crosland, from Defend Our Juries, said: âWeâre just exercising our democratic rights to freedom of assembly. Our plans are online, this is an open transparent campaign against an order that the UN has said is unnecessary. There isnât any secret plot.
âWe think at least 500 people will be involved although there is no fool proof way of knowing. Some people are travelling into London from around the country and some people are saying they might come from Holland for itâ.
He added: âHolding a sign is in some ways a much more gentle ask than getting onto gantries, or breaking into a base, or anything like that. But because of the [proscription] order that simple act of peaceful protest is an offence under the terror act. We are letting people know that the risks are very very substantial, but if enough of us do it then there is safety in numbersâ.
In a briefing for protesters, Defend Our Juries advises people that there is a substantial risk of arrest and that the Met Police has arrested people under section 13 of the Terrorism Act. This makes it an offence to wear an item of clothing or display an article that arouses âreasonable suspicion that [the wearer] is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisationâ.
The document advises people that âif enough of us take a stand, then it is unlikely any charges will be broughtâ.
Outside of London, some protesters have had their homes raided and technology seized. One 80-year-old woman was arrested at a rally in Cardiff and had her home searched. She said officers removed iPads, a Palestine flag, books on Palestine, and material related to Extinction Rebellion.
In the brief, Defend Our Juries warn participants that if they are taking action outside London they should warn any housemates that their homes could be searched.
Recommendations also include removing tech from the house, having a decoy phone, laptop or Ipad, and if they are vulnerable to put a note on the front door stating âI am elderly and will take longer to answer the doorâ.
The prime ministerâs spokesperson told reporters on Monday that âthose who seek to support this group [Palestine Action] may yet not know the true nature of this organisation, but people should be under no illusions: this is not a peaceful or non-violent protest group.
âWeâre also clear that their activities do not reflect or represent the thousands of people across this country who continue to exercise their fundamental right to protest on difficult, different issuesâ.
The Metropolitan Police has been approached for comment.
