More than 100 individuals have been apprehended by the police following a demonstration outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London on suspicion of backing Palestine Action.
A total of 117 arrests were made after demonstrators congregated outside the court, where judges affirmed the legitimacy of designating the organization as a terrorist entity.
Observers witnessed protesters being taken away by law enforcement, with some holding placards stating, “I support Palestine Action.”
Simultaneously, in a nearby courtroom, five Court of Appeal judges upheld the decision to prohibit the group, which took effect on July 5 last year, as a justified and proportionate measure regarding freedom of expression.
Previously, in February, three High Court judges deemed the then-Home Secretary Yvette Cooper’s ban on Palestine Action unlawful following a challenge from the group’s co-founder, Huda Ammori. This verdict was overturned today by the Court of Appeal.
The prohibition stipulates that affiliation with or endorsement of the direct action organization constitutes a criminal offense punishable by a maximum of 14 years’ imprisonment. It has continued in effect as the Home Office successfully sought to challenge the February ruling today.
Among those taken away by the police were protesters, including an elderly woman in dark blue scrubs with a sign labeling her as a retired doctor.
Expressing support for the organization remains an offense, and law enforcement will apprehend violators accordingly.
Police detained 117 individuals suspected of endorsing a proscribed organization at a demonstration outside the Royal Courts of Justice on Monday, June 15. Additionally, two more people were arrested by City of London Police officers at a protest outside the Old Bailey.
Since the organization’s proscription, the Metropolitan Police has arrested over 3,000 individuals on suspicion of endorsing Palestine Action.