Protests Turn Violent in London: Arrests During a Pro-Palestinian Rally

In the heart of London, a bitter legal dispute is unfolding, as the British government faces criticism over its decision to designate the activist group Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. The designation, made in early July, has sparked protests and arrests, with over 700 people detained according to media reports.

The demonstration, which took place in the Westminster district and culminated in rallies outside Parliament, was in protest of the ban on Palestine Action. The group, known for its non-violent direct actions against companies involved in the Israeli occupation of Palestine, has never advocated for violence against people. However, the British government has accused Palestine Action of aiming to make planes unusable by painting their engines.

The police are treating protesters opposing the ban as supporters of terrorism, a move that has been met with criticism. Many of those arrested for supporting terrorism are harmless, some even retirees. Activists from Palestine Action themselves breached an air force base and painted Royal Air Force planes with graffiti, but violence occurred during the demonstration, with officers being punched, kicked, spat at, and pelted with objects.

Coordinated efforts were reported to hinder police officers in their duties during the demonstration, a fact that has added fuel to the fire of those who argue that the ban amounts to an impermissible restriction on freedom of speech. Any debate on the matter is effectively silenced due to the ban, according to critics.

While the group has carried out acts of sabotage, Palestine Action's founder plans to challenge the terror designation in court. Media reports indicate that the person planning to file a constitutional complaint against the terrorism designation of Palestine Action has not been explicitly named in the given search results.

Whether the ban can be contested is currently the subject of intense legal scrutiny. Membership or support of a terrorist organization is punishable by up to 14 years in prison in the UK, a fact that underscores the gravity of the situation. The British government has rejected the group's claims and vowed a tough response, but the future of Palestine Action and the nature of the protests against them remain uncertain.