Police 'expect criminal offences' at Trafalgar Square protest over Palestine Action ban

The Metropolitan Police has said it expects criminal offences at a central London protest against the ban on Palestine Action.

Activists from Defend Our Juries are holding a protest at Trafalgar Square on Saturday to call for the lifting of a ban on the banned group.

Defend Our Juries, which campaigns to raise issues over what it sees as the undermining of the legal process in the UK, said thousands of demonstrators will take part in a peaceful protest on Saturday to show “resistance to the ban is stronger than ever”.

Protesters will sit silently from 1pm tomorrow, holding banners that read “I oppose genocide.

I support Palestine Action”.

Palestine Action is proscribed under the Terrorism Act.

Proscription makes it a criminal offence to belong to or support Palestine Action and is punishable by up to 14 year behind bars.

Commander Claire Smart, who is leading policing operations in London this weekend, said police “anticipate policing a large-scale event that is expected to involve criminal offences” and would “strongly encourage” those in attendance to consider the potential consequences.

Last month, The Met announced officers would resume arresting Palestine Action supporters amid a High Court battle over the ban.

Commander Smart said: “While the Met regularly polices peaceful and lawful protest without the need for arrests, this event presents different considerations.

Those attending should be aware that showing support for a proscribed organisation is an offence under the Terrorism Act, and we will not hesitate to act where the law is broken.

“At previous events linked to this group we have seen coordinated attempts to disrupt police activity, including obstructing officers and, at times, verbal or physical abuse.

Our officers are trained to deal with these situations proportionately and effectively, and we are confident we have the plans and resources in place to respond appropriately, including making arrests where necessary.”
The Met’s own data said over 890 arrests were made when “protests in Parliament Square involved coordinated displays of support for Palestine Action”.

Protesters have aimed to overwhelm the criminal justice system with the number of cases.

The trials of hundreds of people accused of holding up the placards have been put on hold as the High Court battle drags on.

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On Sunday, seven people were arrested on suspicion of supporting the banned group at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk.

They have since been released on bail.

In March, 18 Palestine Action supporters were arrested after staging a demonstration outside New Scotland Yard in support of Palestine Action.