PROTESTERS gathered in solidarity with activists defying a ban on proscribed group Palestine Action in Edinburgh on Saturday.
In an escalation of the protest's Scotland campaign, a joint Defend Our Juries and Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign action saw more than 70 protestors sit down outside the Queen Elizabeth House in Edinburgh, to write placards stating: "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action."
Others put on a T-shirt stating: "Genocide in Palestine. Time to Take Action.
A circle of supporters stood around the protestors in silence.
Stop the War Scotland, the Scottish Trade Union Congress, Glasgow Trades Council and others joined the protest in solidarity, after marching from the foot of the Mound.
Police Scotland chose to let the demonstration go ahead peacefully without arrest, while the Met Police arrested protesters after 12 minutes in Westminster.
A spokesperson for Defend Our Juries said: "A showdown between Holyrood and Westminster seems to be playing out over the enforcement of the ridiculous Palestine Action ban. On August 19, the Crown Office cancelled court dates and lifted bail conditions for protesters after receiving warnings from the Scottish Human Rights Commission that the arrest of peaceful protesters risked breaking the law.
"On August 27, the Lord Advocate wrote to Amnesty International assuring them of his commitment to upholding the rule of law and respecting human rights in all our decisions. Yet on Thursday an Oban man was arrested for hosting a Defend Our Juries zoom call and could face eight years in prison.
"People can see that the 22 members of the UK Cabinet have blood on their hands. Palestine Action’s only crime was to interrupt the flow of weapons during a genocide. Holyrood should play no part in enforcing this ban."
