ENGLAND – Palestine Action supporters have swarmed London’s Parliament Square as hundreds of police officers have begun carrying out arrests - while migrant protests across the country have prompted chaos fears.
The Metropolitan Police said it has drawn officers in from other forces to help form a ‘significant policing presence’ as it faces a busy weekend of demos, with clashes seen breaking out today in the heart of the capital.
More than 500 people were expected to hold up placards supporting the proscribed group in Parliament Square, after organisers Defend Our Juries announced earlier this week the event would go ahead.
The ban means that membership of, or support for, Palestine Action is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison, under the Terrorism Act 2000.
A wide variety of messages were today seen on display, with some activists wearing signs saying ‘I am on duty to stop genocide’, while others held placards that read: ‘Our right to non-violent protest.’
Men and women of different ages were seen being arrested by officers, while witnesses estimated there were about 300 police and 200 protesters so far - and there were scuffles between rival groups, witnesses told.
Today’s action comes days after the first three people to be charged with supporting the group in England and Wales were named.
Jeremy Shippam (71), Judit Murray, also (71), and Fiona Maclean (53), have all been charged with displaying an article in a public place, arousing reasonable suspicion that they are a supporter of a proscribed organisation after their attendance at a previous demonstration last month.
More than 200 people have been arrested in the wave of Defend Our Juries protests across the UK since the ban was implemented by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper last month.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said: ‘The Met is very experienced at dealing with large-scale protests, including where the protest activity crosses into criminality, requiring arrests.
‘While we will not go into the specific details of our plan, the public can be assured that we will have the resources and processes in place to respond to any eventuality.
A wide variety of messages were today seen on display, with some activists wearing signs saying: ‘I am on duty to stop genocide’. (Pic: BBC)