Over 300 Arrested in London Pro-Palestine Action Protest
Demonstration outside US embassy sees mass arrests, retired lawyer among those detained.
Carla Rooney
More than 300 demonstrators were arrested outside the US embassy in London.
Officers began making arrests around midday, telling those detained they posed a "threat." Charles Allison, a retired lawyer, was among those taken into custody.
Allison stated, "I decided that I ought to try and do something, and this is the little bit that I’m doing." He expressed concern for civil liberties, adding, "I fear for our civil liberties, which are being devalued and watered down, even by this new Labour Government."
I fear for our civil liberties, which are being devalued and watered down, even by this new Labour Government.
Allison hoped Supreme Court justices would "take a long-term view of what is happening in this country and decide that the proscription was unlawful, as I believe it was." He acknowledged the discomfort of his actions, stating, "I speak as an ex-lawyer, so it’s uncomfortable for me to break the law deliberately. But I felt that I could do no other."
He participated to "show that there is no declining level of protest." Hundreds of people joined the protest, many carrying signs that read, “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.”
Other signs in the crowd declared “we are protesters, not terrorists” and “heroes, not terrorists.” One protester scaled a tree outside the embassy, waving a placard that read “God help us. Teachers who support Palestine. Palestine Action.”
Some demonstrators wore keffiyehs and waved Palestinian flags. David Polden, another demonstrator, claims police attempted to arrest him earlier in the day but released him after seeing his sign.
We are protesters, not terrorists.
Polden has faced arrest on previous occasions for holding signs supporting the proscribed group and faces one terror charge. Defend Our Juries anticipated 400 attendees, though images suggest the actual number was just over 100.