Widespread Arrests at Palestine Action Demonstrations
Police forces across Britain made significant arrests during coordinated protests on Saturday, with 25 individuals detained in Birmingham under the Terrorism Act. The demonstrations, organised by the group Defend Our Juries, saw simultaneous actions in 10 British towns and cities, marking what organisers called "the most widespread wave of civil disobedience in modern UK history."
National Protest Coordination
West Midlands Police confirmed the Birmingham arrests occurred at Chamberlain Square in the city centre, where officers identified participants carrying placards expressing support for Palestine Action. Meanwhile, 30 people were apprehended in Bristol and another 10 in Norwich on suspicion of similar terror offences.
The protest group Defend Our Juries stated their campaign has now resulted in 636 arrests over its 12-day duration, with 2,717 "Lift the Ban sign-holding arrests" recorded since Palestine Action was proscribed in July. However, not all police forces took enforcement action, with officers in Edinburgh and Exeter choosing not to arrest participants.
Police Response and Political Reaction
Chief Inspector James Littlehales of West Midlands Police commented: "We fully recognise people's right to demonstrate peacefully, and many people continue to protest in support of Palestine without breaking the law. But we will take appropriate action where people are breaching the law by showing support for proscribed organisations."
In Norwich, the ten individuals detained were held on suspicion of displaying an item in support of a proscribed organisation and were questioned at Wymondham Police Investigation Centre. Norfolk Constabulary reported the incident was resolved within approximately two and a half hours.
Meanwhile, a separate London march organised by the Palestine Coalition attracted an estimated 100,000 participants according to organisers. Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy addressed the London crowd, stating that "the UK must stop enabling violence" and criticising what she called a "ceasefire in name only."
The Metropolitan Police reported only one arrest for affray during the London demonstration, with four individuals detained on suspicion of Public Order Act offences.
