UK Police Detain Over 500 Protesters for Supporting Palestine Action Group

In response to demonstrations supporting the Palestine Action group, the Metropolitan Police in London arrested more than 500 individuals, many of whom were charged with violating a new law that criminalizes support for the group. The protests, which took place over the weekend, were met with a large-scale police operation. Amnesty International UK’s head, Sacha Deshmukh, stated the protests were not violent and called the ‘terrorist’ designation inappropriate. Those arrested were taken to processing centers in Westminster, London. Those who provided identification were released on bail, with a condition that they would not participate in future pro-Palestine events. Those who refused to provide information were held in detention centers across London. The new law, passed by Parliament in July, carries a potential sentence of up to 14 years’ imprisonment for supporting the Palestine Action group. A spokesperson for Defend Our Juries, one of the protest organizers, said members of Palestine Action and those carrying banners did not pose a threat to the public.