Two arrested as Led by Donkeys stage Gaza protest outside Labour Party HQ

TWO people have been arrested after campaign group Led By Donkeys staged a Gaza protest outside Labour's headquarters.

On Tuesday, Led by Donkeys erected a large poster opposite the Labour Party HQ in London, which showed an image of the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza.

On the poster were the words: "Protesting this isn't terrorism."

(Image: Led By Donkeys, via Twitter/X) Led By Donkeys said: "We've turned their street into Jabaliya camp in Gaza. A genocide is happening, but the Labour Government is supplying weapons, intelligence and diplomatic cover to the perpetrator.

"Protesting this is not terrorism."

The campaign group later said two activists had been arrested and removed by police, sharing an image of a man being taken away by the police.

(Image: Led By Donkeys, via Twitter/X) The Met Police confirmed that two men, aged 50 and 51, were charged with aggravated trespass and are due to appear in court in August.

The poster's reference to "terrorism" likely refers to the designation of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, which was brought in by the Labour Government earlier this month.

It means that membership of or support for the group is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

However, condemning Israeli actions in Gaza or showing support for Palestine does not automatically create any connection to a proscribed organisation such as Palestine Action.

According to campaign group Defend Our Juries, nearly 200 people have been arrested within a fortnight in the UK under terror law since the proscription of Palestine Action came into effect.

Most recently in Scotland, three people were arrested under the Terrorism Act following a national pro-Palestine demonstration on Saturday.

The men, aged 78, 60 and 58, were arrested in Edinburgh "for showing support for a proscribed organisation".

A Met Police spokesperson said: "Police were called at 7.17am on Tuesday, July 22 to Rushworth Street, SE1 following reports of two men climbing the scaffolding of a building before displaying a large banner.

"Officers attended and the two men safety left the scaffolding at around 12.30pm. 

"They were arrested and have since both been charged with aggravated trespass. 

"Oliver Knowles, 50 (09.07.1975) of Ranelagh Road, N17 and Ben Stewart, 51 (29.03.1974) of Richmond Avenue, Bristol appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 23 July. 

"They will next appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on 20 August."

The Labour Party have been contacted for comment.