POLICE have started arresting protesters who have gathered in central London in support of banned group Palestine Action.
The crowd in Parliament Square chanted “shame on you” as one man was taken away by officers, and later police were seen collecting elderly protesters who were sat in a line behind placards that said: “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.”
Further chants of “Met Police you can’t hide – you’re supporting genocide” echoed across the square.
The Metropolitan Police has said that those showing support for the banned group face arrest, posting on social media ahead of the demonstration: “Expressing support for a proscribed organisation is a criminal offence under the Terrorism Act.
“Where our officers see offences, we will make arrests.”
Only 12 minutes after the protest’s official start time, the force announced: “Officers have begun making arrests for expressing support for proscribed terror organisation Palestine Action at the protest organised by Defend Our Juries.”
Mike Higgins, 62, who is blind and uses a wheelchair, returned to the Parliament Square protest on Saturday after making headlines last month as one of 532 people arrested at a previous demonstration.
He told the PA news agency: “What choice do I have?
“Nothing is being done about the genocide other than by us.
“And I’m a terrorist? That’s the joke of it.
“I’ve already been arrested under the Terrorism Act and I suspect I will be today.
“Of course I’ll keep coming back – what choice do I have?”
Defend Our Juries (DOJ) said the action was planned on condition of at least 1000 people pledging support, but claimed hundreds more planned to take part, with a boost in support after a number of activists involved in organising the protests were arrested under terror laws.
Attendees are expected to refuse street bail, requiring more people to be taken into custody, and they plan to go “floppy”, forcing officers to physically carry them away.
One protester in Parliament Square wore a “Plasticine Action” t-shirt – a satirical play on the banned group which drew headlines last month when another demonstrator was mistakenly arrested for it.
Franco Ferrer, 69, from Llanberis in north Wales, said police had been photographing him since he arrived.
He told PA: “Maybe they can’t read.
“The T-shirt is an effective way of getting the message across without risking arrest.
“I won’t write a sign because I don’t think I have the courage to do that.
“I’ve come to support the action because the Government banning a protest group by using terror laws is outrageous. It’s silencing free speech.”
Protesters have also gathered for a separate demonstration in Russell Square organised by the “Palestine Coalition” – which includes the groups Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Stop the War – while rallies were set to take place in Belfast and Edinburgh as well.
DOJ said on Friday that it had sent a letter to Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley ahead of the protest in Westminster.
It said police forces in Edinburgh, Totnes, Derry and Kendall had all decided not to arrest sign-holders.
