THE Metropolitan Police has arrested six people over a banner draped on Westminster Bridge in support of banned group Palestine Action.
Protesters unfurled a banner on Westminster Bridge as part of a demonstration organised by Defend our Juries (DOJ) in support of Palestine Action in Trafalgar Square on Saturday.
The campaigners held two banners over the north side of the bridge which read “I oppose genocide” and “I support Palestine Action”.
The banners were then removed by officers and protesters detained.
The force said: “Officers were quickly on scene, the banner had been removed and the six people involved have been arrested for supporting a proscribed organisation.”
The group said it expected 1500 to attend a protest in Trafalgar Square at 1pm.
Human rights campaigner and DOJ member Jonathon Porritt told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the protest would go ahead despite calls to cancel from Keir Starmer after the attack on a synagogue in Manchester.
“I have no doubt whatsoever that everyone taking part in the Defend Our Juries silent vigil today will demonstrate huge respect and real grief for those affected by the absolute atrocity at Heaton Park," Porritt said.
“But I don’t think that means that we should be asked to give up on our right to stand up for those who are being devastated by an ongoing, real-time genocide in Gaza.”
Asked about calls from politicians to delay the protest, he said: “I think that would be an unwise move for Defend Our Juries. We’ve been persistent in trying to bring these concerns to the attention of the Government.”
There would be “nothing disrespectful” about the “silent vigil”, whose attendees would have the “deepest concern about growing levels of antisemitism” in the UK, Porritt said.
