SEVEN Defend Our Juries (DOJ) campaigners have reportedly been arrested under the Terrorism Act after having their homes raided by police.
The arrests came ahead of a press conference where the campaign group were due to set out how they were going to take “mass action” against the Palestine Action ban.
A spokesperson for the group said the arrests were "scandalous" as they vowed to press ahead with a protest in London at the weekend.
Kerry Moscogiuri, director of campaigns at Amnesty International UK, said the arrest of five lead spokespeople for the campaign group was “incredibly concerning” and may breach international law.
On Tuesday, Defend Our Juries said supporters including Tim Crosland and law student Paddy Friend had been arrested by counter-terrorism police.
Friend had reportedly hosted a Zoom call with other members to give legal advice to those planning to take part in the mass protest action.
A spokesperson for DOJ said: “This is scandalous. Locking up our key spokespeople just hours before they were due to hold a press conference announcing more peaceful Lift the Ban protests constitutes an unprecedented assault on free speech in our country.
“This level of political repression is not what we expect in a democracy – it’s the kind of tactic typically associated with authoritarian regimes around the world.
“Despite this dystopian crackdown targeting perceived organisers of peaceful protests, the mass action will go ahead, with 1000 people pledging to hold signs.
“The mass defiance of the unjust ban on Palestine Action is unstoppable.
“The counter-terrorism police are clearly targeting people they perceive as organisers, and the key spokespeople arrested were told they were being arrested for hosting public Zoom calls.
“No one has been arrested for joining the Zoom calls – only the hosts – and we will be holding another Zoom call tonight ahead of our action on Saturday.”
The five were arrested under section 12 of the Terrorism Act, which covers support for banned groups.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper proscribed Palestine Action as a terror group after activists broke into RAF Brize Norton and damaged military planes with red spray paint on June 20.
Under current rules, it is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison to belong to or express support for the group, even without intending to.
Wearing a Palestine Action T-shirt or displaying their logo from one's home could result in a six month prison sentence and a fine of up to £5000.
Despite this, protests have continued, with activists holding placards which read: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action”.
Earlier this month, a demonstration in Parliament Square saw 521 people arrested for displaying the placards. The majority of those arrested, 348, were aged 50 or over.
A full legal challenge of the ban will be heard in November.
A further protest in Parliament Square is set to go ahead on Saturday September 6.
Ahead of this, DOJ arranged a press conference for Tuesday afternoon, which has now been postponed until Wednesday due to the arrests.
“The news that five of Defend Our Juries' lead organisers have had their homes raided and been arrested under section 12 of the Terrorism Act is incredibly concerning,” Moscogiuri said.
“The mass peaceful demonstrations they have organised over recent weeks are protected by international human rights law – and to think they run the risk of being imprisoned for up to 14 years is a terrifying example of the UK authorities' willingness to use authoritarian practices to silence dissent.
“Criminalising speech or protest is only permitted when it incites violence, hatred or discrimination. To be clear: expressing support for Palestine Action does not meet this threshold.”
Moscogiuri added that arresting and prosecuting people in this context is a “violation” of the UK’s obligations under human rights law.
“Amnesty calls for the immediate and unconditional release of these people and yet again implores the Government to redirect its energy from criminalising peaceful demonstrators to focusing on taking immediate and unequivocal action to put a stop to Israel’s genocide and ending any risk of UK complicity in it,” she added.
Initial reports said that five people with DOJ had been arrested, but this was later revised upwards to seven. At least one arrest happened in Scotland, it is understood.
Despite the arrests, the Parliament Square protest is set to go ahead on Saturday, and 1000 people have pledged to hold signs in support of Palestine Action.
Demonstrations over the summer that have seen more than 700 people arrested and 114 charged.
