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Seventy-one arrests have been made at protests across the UK against Palestine Action being proscribed a terror group, police have said.<\/p>\n
Forces in London, Cardiff and Manchester each made a number of arrests on suspicion of terrorism offences, as demonstrators gathered for a second weekend.<\/p>\n
Palestine Action was proscribed by the government under the Terrorism Act of 2000 as of last Saturday, meaning membership of or support for the group is a criminal offence.<\/p>\n
The Metropolitan Police made 41 arrests on suspicion of showing support for a proscribed organisation, with one person also arrested for common assault, during a protest in London.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Two groups of protesters gathered in Parliament Square in the capital shortly after 13:00 BST on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Some held placards bearing the words: “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.”<\/p>\n
Demonstrators were also seen lying on top of each other while police officers searched bags, taking ID cards and handmade signs.<\/p>\n
Police carried some of the protesters away and led others into police vans – with the last protester being removed from the Nelson Mandela statue just after 14:30 BST.<\/p>\n
The Met said officers will act when criminal offences – including expressing support for proscribed groups or organisations through “chanting, wearing clothing or displaying articles such as flags, signs or logos” – are committed.<\/p>\n
South Wales Police arrested 13 people during a protest outside the BBC offices near Cardiff’s Central Square, all on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation.<\/p>\n
South Wales Police said it “supports the right for people to make their voices heard through protest providing it is done lawfully”.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Police said 16 individuals had been arrested under the Terrorism Act of 2000 as officers responded to a protest in St Peter’s Square in the city centre.<\/p>\n
The protests were organised by campaign group Defend Our Juries.<\/p>\n
A protest in London last weekend saw 29 people arrested.<\/p>\n
Palestine Action has engaged in activities that have predominantly targeted arms companies since the start of the current war in Gaza.<\/p>\n
The move to proscribe the organisation came after two Voyager aircraft were sprayed with paint by activists who broke into RAF Brize Norton in June – an incident for which the group claimed responsibility.<\/p>\n