Dozens arrested outside Woolwich Crown Court during Palestine Action protest
Dozens of protesters expressing support for Palestine Action have been arrested outside a court in southeast London.
About 500 people gathered to demonstrate outside Woolwich Crown Court today.
Four supporters of Palestine Activists are being sentenced at the court for destroying equipment valued at over £1.2 million at the Elbit factory in Bristol, an Israeli-based defense firm.
While the hearing was underway inside, chants of ‘Free Palestine’ echoed outside with a substantial police presence.
Protesters held signs reading ‘Direct Action Saves Lives’ and ‘Direct Action is not Terrorism’ in apparent support for the four activists facing the court.
Police vans started to arrive to take away demonstrators, with the first arrest occurring at about 1:20 pm.
As each protester was carried away, with one officer holding each limb, the crowds applauded while others criticized the officers.
Some of the chants included ‘you’re complicit in genocide’ and ‘Met police, shame, shame, all the crimes in your name.’
Palestine Action has been proscribed as a terrorist organization in the UK, a move that has faced widespread criticism.
This makes it a criminal offense to belong to or support Palestine Action, with a punishment of up to 14 years in prison.
Metropolitan Police said: ‘A number of arrests have been made during a protest in southeast London.
‘Seventy-two people have been arrested for supporting a proscribed terrorist organization – Palestine Action – at a demonstration outside Woolwich Crown Court.
‘All are currently in police custody.’
The campaign group Defend Our Juries, which opposes the proscription of Palestine Action, said: ‘Hundreds of people are willing to be arrested as terrorists to emphasize that what is happening to the four young people being sentenced today should absolutely not be happening in a British court of law.
‘Saving lives is not terrorism, and the people taking action today, along with leading lawyers, celebrities, teachers, and health workers, are saying it is dangerous for everyone if the judges are allowed to misuse the law in this way.’
The High Court ruled in February that the proscription of Palestine Action is unlawful.
However, the ban remains in place for now during an appeal by the government, which is due to be decided on Monday.
Technology & Business Editor
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