Campaigners opposing the UK government’s ban on the direct action group Palestine Action have announced a series of unprecedented protests, dubbed the “most widespread mass civil disobedience in modern British history.” The demonstrations, set to take place in 18 towns and cities across the UK, coincide with an upcoming judicial review of the group’s proscription as a terrorist organization. Clive Dolphin, a spokesperson for Defend Our Juries, the campaign group coordinating the protests, stated that the actions aim to “exert pressure” on the judicial review process. The ban, enacted in July by then Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, equates Palestine Action with groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda under British law, making support or membership a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Since the ban, thousands have risked arrest under the Terrorism Act for displaying signs supporting Palestine Action, with over 2,000 arrests and 170 charges filed so far. Defend Our Juries anticipates varied responses from police forces, noting that some regions chose not to make arrests during previous protests. Dolphin criticized Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley’s aggressive approach, describing it as “masochistic” and highlighting the strain on the magistrates’ court system, which has been overwhelmed by terrorism-related cases. Meanwhile, Prisoners for Palestine (PFP) announced a rolling hunger strike starting November 2, citing “systematic abuse” by prison authorities. The strike follows unanswered demands for bail and an end to interference with prisoners’ communications. Former prisoner and PFP campaigner Francesca Nadin revealed that Palestine Action-linked prisoners face severe censorship, with hundreds of personal letters reportedly missing. The protests and hunger strike mark a historic moment of resistance against the government’s crackdown on Palestine Action, with campaigners urging the government to address their grievances.
Thousands to defy UK ban on Palestine Action in ‘historic’ mass civil disobedience
