CAMPAIGNERS from Defend Our Juries (DOJ) are set to use new tactics to resist arrest at a number of protests this weekend.
At a press conference organised by the campaign group on Wednesday, journalists heard from a number of speakers, including Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori and award-winning filmmaker Ken Loach.
The press conference was initially scheduled to take place on Tuesday, but was postponed after seven members of DOJ were arrested under the Terrorism Act after having their homes raided by police.
DOJ confirmed on Wednesday that the police have now finished interviewing those arrested, with their release expected in due course.
The campaign group added that mass demonstrations are still set to go ahead in London, Edinburgh and Belfast on Saturday.
Ammori said protesters would be looking to use tactics such as "going floppy" and refusing street bail if arrested, in a bid to make conditions more challenging for police.
She added that such methods will avoid making it "easier for the police to enforce a completely unjust law".
The tactic of refusing street bail means more people need to be taken into custody, and “going floppy” means more officers are needed to carry protesters away if arrested.
Also speaking to the press on Wednesday, Loach said that the UK Government was failing in its legal obligation to prevent genocide, as he condemned the "absurd" decision to proscribe Palestine Action.
The filmmaker recently joined an Edinburgh demonstration (pictured below) against the UK Government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist group, alongside long-time screenwriting partner scriptwriter Paul Laverty.
Loach said on Wednesday: "[Laverty] is a brave opponent of injustice and that's why he's been resolute in support of the Palestinians, and quite prepared to be arrested in pursuit of this campaign."
He went on to say campaigners needed to turn their efforts towards Keir Starmer's Government, which he said was "complicit" in Israel's genocide in Gaza.
"Clearly we are complicit. The weapons we are still sending, we are still having a full trade policy, including sending weapons, selling weapons," Loach said.
"We are witnessing an unbelievable crime in front of our eyes, night after night, unspeakable horrors. And yet the Palestinians say quite rightly that the world is doing nothing.
"Well, we could be doing something, it's our legal obligation to be doing something, and I think it's time the press and the media turned their attention onto Starmer's breaking of international law."
During the press conference, DOJ confirmed they are still going ahead with demonstrations on Saturday, despite the police raids which took place earlier in the week.
Around 1000 people have pledged to hold signs in support of Palestine Action at the protest in London.
Demonstrations over the summer have seen more than 700 people arrested and 114 charged since the Palestine Action ban came into effect in July.
Another protest will take place outside the UK Government's Queen Elizabeth House building in Edinburgh, where activists are expected to gather while wearing the same T-shirt as Laverty did when he was arrested.
The demonstration, which is set to start at 2pm, has support from Scottish Stop The War, the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, the Scottish Trades Union Congress alongside a number of trades councils.
Donny Gluckstein, assistant secretary of the Edinburgh Trades Council, said Saturday's protest is "against the arming of Israel" and "for the right to protest".
He told journalists at Wednesday's press conference: "Public opinion in Scotland is against the Government's policy in Gaza. It's understandable that Keir Starmer, like Suella Braverman before him, would try to silence the voice of the vast majority.
"But unlike Starmer, our First Minister John Swinney has recognised the International Court of Justice and the conclusion that there is a genocide taking place, and it's a universal duty to prevent it."
Gluckstein added: "We care about the fate of two million people being bombed and starved using weapons that Britain helps supply.
"We'll be there on Saturday to show solidarity with those who are standing up for humanity and for human rights to ensure that they do not feel alone.
"We will bear witness for Gaza and those who stand with Gaza."
