A WESTMINSTER-based think tank has been targeted by protesters over its alleged role in making the UK "increasingly authoritarian" – citing the recent terror designation of Palestine Action.
Activists from climate group Shut The System smashed windows and sprayed red paint on the exterior of the Policy Exchange building in London overnight on Thursday.
The group accused the think tank of contributing to "making the UK the less tolerant, more unequal, increasingly authoritarian and poorly governed nation it is today".
Activists claimed Policy Exchange has "advocated for and assisted" the UK Government to draft legislation which they argue impacts on human rights – specifically the right to free speech and the right to assemble.
Policy Exchange is a right-wing think tank which has received funding from US oil giant ExxonMobil. As reported in Politico, former prime minister Rishi Sunak previously admitted that the group had helped his government to draft anti-protest legislation.
Shut The System is a direct action group which targets "the tools, property and machinery of the fossil fuel economy driving the climate emergency". The group has targeted Policy Exchange three times.
A spokesperson for Shut The System said that the think tank had "emboldened" governments to adopt policies which would have been "unthinkable" 10 years ago, adding that "protest and direct action are not extremist activities".
They said: "The authoritarian agenda advocated by Policy Exchange and its attempt to equate protest with extremism has emboldened multiple governments to adopt policies which would have been unthinkable in the UK only a decade ago, not least labelling Palestine Action as terrorists.
"Protest and direct action are not extremist activities, they are an essential aspect of any functioning democracy."
A spokesperson for the Palestine faction of Shut The System said: "Policy Exchange's malign influence suppressing effective protest is unsurprising considering the reported $30k donation to Policy Exchange by ExxonMobil.
"We have targeted Policy Exchange today not in response to any particular action, but in recognition of the role they have played in making the UK the less tolerant, more unequal, increasingly authoritarian and poorly governed nation it is today."
David Spencer, crime and justice chief at Policy Exchange, branded the attack "an act of terrorism" as he said that Shut The System were "prepared to use violence to undermine parliamentary democracy".
As reported in GB News, he said: "We are committed to a vibrant market of ideas and Policy Exchange will not be intimidated by acts of sabotage and terrorism."
The Metropolitan Police has been contacted for comment.
