Activists who gathered in towns and cities across the UK have been arrested as they took part in protests in support of Palestine Action.
Defend Our Juries is holding demonstrations in 18 towns and cities between November 18 and 29 in support of lifting the ban on Palestine Action, with protests in Nottingham, Gloucester, Truro, Northampton, Oxford, Leeds, Newcastle, Cardiff, Aberystwyth and Edinburgh on Tuesday.
Protesters who gathered in Nottingham were carried away by police after 28 people were arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences.
Dozens of people with placards saying, âI oppose genocide, I support Palestine Actionâ and âPaint is not terrorismâ gathered outside the cityâs Central Library as activists took part in silent protests.
Protesters were clapped by members of the crowd and told âthank youâ as they started to be carried away by police about 40 minutes after they gathered at 1pm.
Some people refused to speak to officers or comply with their requests to leave the area and sat or laid down on the ground before they were taken away to police vans.
Nottinghamshire Police had warned those taking part that the law âwill be enforcedâ if offences were committed during the protest.
In a statement after the demonstration concluded, the forceâs Deputy Chief Constable Rob Griffin said: âOfficers arrested 28 people at a protest near Central Library in Nottingham today.
âThe protest was organised by Defend Our Juries in support of proscribed terror organisation Palestine Action.
âAs described earlier today, it is a criminal offence under the Terrorism Act 2000 to support a proscribed organisation; this includes holding placards with slogans indicating that you support the group.
âThere was an increased police presence in the area and when officers identified evidence that offences were being committed, positive action was taken.
âThe protest went ahead with no violence or disorder.
âWhilst we will facilitate peaceful and lawful protest, we always wanted people to be aware that the law will be enforced. This has meant that people attending the protest and showing support for Palestine Action were arrested.â
In Edinburgh, dozens of activists gathered in the rain outside Queen Elizabeth House, the UK Governmentâs hub in Scotland.
Just after 1pm, they all sat down in the courtyard in front of the building, holding up signs saying âI oppose genocide, I support Palestine Actionâ.
Another group stood behind them wearing black T-shirts reading âGenocide in Palestine, time to take actionâ.
Police in Edinburgh did not make any arrests during the protest on Tuesday and the group sat in place for around an hour.
However, activists from the group said that at previous demonstrations where support for Palestine Action had been expressed, Police Scotland had instead made arrests in the days and weeks after the event.
In a post on social media platform X, Defend Our Juries said activists were also arrested in Truro.
They said: âPolice arrest people at Truro Cathedral for holding signs saying they oppose genocide and the Palestine Action ban.
âPreviously, the police in Truro chose not to arrest protesters for holding the same signs.â
Northamptonshire Police said it was âworking with partners and local businesses to prevent serious disruption and disorder, and to ensure the safety of peopleâ during a similar protest in Northampton.
Northumbria Police said it made 12 arrests following the demonstration in Newcastle.
A force spokesperson said: âThe right to lawful protest is a key part of any democracy, which the police uphold.
âHowever, we will not accept people using them as a means to commit crime.â
Further protests are planned for London on November 20, 22, 24 and 26, with demonstrations in Bristol, Birmingham, Exeter, Cambridge, Sheffield, Lancaster, Manchester, Edinburgh and Cardiff on November 29.
Palestine Action was banned after alleged attacks on an Israel-based defence firmâs UK site and two planes at RAF Brize Norton.
The ban on Palestine Action, which began on July 5, made membership of, or support for, the direct action group a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Co-founder Huda Ammori is taking legal action against former home secretary Yvette Cooperâs decision to proscribe the group under anti-terror laws.
A further court hearing is due to take place in late November.
