LAWYERS have filed a legal complaint after armed police threatened a peaceful protester for holding a Palestinian flag and displaying signs saying "Free Gaza" and "Israel is committing genocide".
On Thursday, The National reported how one officer told Laura Murton, 42, that mentioning "freedom of Gaza, Israel, genocide" fell foul of terrorism laws.
The Guardian reported that she was confronted by police in Canterbury, Kent, who accused her of expressing support for the proscribed group Palestine Action.
When asked whether she supported any proscribed organisations, Murton replied: "I do not."
Murton said she had no signs mentioning Palestine Action.
Kent Police confirmed that no further action was taken.
On Friday, lawyers from the International Centre for Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) filed an official legal complaint with Kent Police over the incident.
In a letter sent to both Kent Police and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, the ICJP demanded a formal investigation be opened into why Murton was threatened with arrest on terror charges despite explicitly rejecting support for proscribed organisations when asked by officers.
The ICJP noted that Murton had no material in her possession that "made any reference to Palestine Action or any other proscribed organisation".
"It is of deep concern that Kent Police officers appear to regard anti-war statements and the Palestinian flag as evidence giving rise to a reasonable suspicion of a terrorism offence," the letter went on.
"This is not only an alarming misinterpretation of the Terrorism Act, but also a stance that is offensive to Palestinians and their supporters and fundamentally incompatible with objective, lawful policing."
The ICJP said that the incident "represents the sought chilling effect on speech and assembly of those who wish to speak out against Israel's violations of international law".
The legal organisation added: "As expected, the ban is being misused to police the support for Palestine more generally, and any opposition to Israel's genocide in Gaza."
The terror group designation for Palestine Action, brought in by the Labour Government earlier this month, means that membership of or support for the group is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Condemning Israeli actions in Gaza or showing support for Palestine does not automatically create any connection to a proscribed organisation such as Palestine Action.
The ICJP said that opposition to war crimes and calls for accountability under international law are not grounds for suspicion under the Terrorism Act.
The group pointed to the High Court ruling in the judicial review concerning the proscription of Palestine Action, in which Justice Chamberlain stated: "“It will remain lawful for the claimant and other persons who were members of the PA [Palestine Action] prior to proscription to continue to express their opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza and elsewhere, including by drawing attention to what they regard as Israel’s genocide and other serious violations of international law.
"They will remain legally entitled to do so in private conversations, in print, on social media and at protests.”
The ICJP urged Kent Police to issue a formal apology to Murton, as well as a public statement to provide assurances "that terrorism legislation will not be misapplied to peaceful protesters".
In addition, the group called on Kent Police to immediately review and revise their training and guidance for officers regarding the use of terrorism legislation, and to initiate a formal investigation into those involved in the incident.
The ICJP also requested clarity from the Home Secretary on what guidance the Home Office has issued to police officers regarding protests that do not relate to Palestine Action.
A Kent Police spokesperson had previously told The Guardian that "it is a criminal offence to carry or display items that may arouse reasonable suspicion that an individual is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation such as Palestine Action".
However, after being contacted by The National, the force said that officers had attended and "having ascertained no offences had been committed, no further action was taken".
Kent Police declined to comment further.
The Home Office has been approached for comment.
