POLICING plans are in place today for planned protests, Police Scotland has said in a statement, adding that "the legal system in Scotland is unique".
Ahad of four major protests in Scotland capital on Saturday, including a protest to defy the ban on Palestine Action, Police Scotland have reiterated that their "position on how protests are handled by policing in Scotland has not changed".
Activists are expected to defy the ban of Palestine Action at a national demonstration in Edinburgh in defence of the right to protest.
As part of a demonstration to demand an end to UK arms sales to Israel and a full Scottish boycott of Israel, campaigners have said they will stand in solidarity with the Defend Our Juries campaign.
A Palestine march being is also being held, organised by Stop the War (STW) Scotland, Scottish CND, the Scottish Trade Union Congress and others, which will start start at the foot of the Mound and head to the UK Government's Edinburgh offices.
Police Scotland stated: "Campaigning and demonstration are a legitimate, necessary and vital part of life. We want to protect the rights of people who wish to peacefully protest and counter protest. Every week we have Police Liaison Teams who work with various protest groups across Scotland who engage with us, and we help them understand protest activity that can be done within the law. Engagement and communication is crucial.
"We are proud of our approach and feel it’s important to be clear on what becomes unlawful behaviour."
The statement continued: "Abusive, threatening behaviour or activity intended to disrupt an event that poses a risk to safety is not legitimate protest.
"There has been recent focus on the proscription of Palestine Action Group as a terrorist group under the Terrorism Act. The decision to proscribe a group is a matter for UK Government. The role of policing is to enforce the law. In Scotland, we do this in a proportionate way in conjunction with advice from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) who oversee prosecutions in this country. The legal system in Scotland is unique."
The statement went on to say that officers understood the "strong feelings towards the situation in Palestine," and people can continue to express this " through protest and demonstrations without breaking counter terrorism laws"
"The key difference is showing support for Palestine Action Group as it is an offence under the Terrorism Act 2000 to be a member of a proscribed organisation or to invite or express support for them.
"This includes wearing clothing or carrying any item in public in such a way as to arouse suspicion that they are a member of, or a supporter of, a proscribed organisation.
"People should understand this and recognise our responsibility to uphold the law. Any use of enforcement powers by officers will be proportionate and in line with Uk legislation and guidance from COPFS. Every situation is unique and will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis."
