"the seriousness of the term terrorism risks losing its meaning, becoming diluted rather than strengthened. Proscription was supposed to be about stopping those inciting direct harm and violence. Going after somebody with a poster, testing the boundaries of liberty, many of whom are clear they don't support Palestine Action but feel strongly about Palestinian rights or free speech, confuses rather than clarifies the government's intention."
"Anyone who wishes to demonstrate about the humanitarian situation in Gaza or the actions of any government, including our own, has the absolute freedom to gather with others and voice their views, provided they do so within the law. But supporting Palestine and supporting a proscribed terrorist organisation is not the same thing."
"There were 890 arrests at a demonstration in London on Saturday against the ban on the group, which was proscribed under anti-terrorism legislation by the UK government in July. The scale of the arrests - at a level not seen since the poll tax riots in the 1990s - and the diversion of police from other areas was criticised by MPs, including many from Labour."
UK police arrested 890 people at a London demonstration against the proscription of Palestine Action under anti-terrorism legislation. MPs from multiple parties criticised the scale of the arrests and the diversion of police resources, noting levels not seen since the 1990s poll tax riots. Security Minister Dan Jarvis said experts independently advised proscription, reported 17 arrests for attacking officers, and maintained the group has terrorism connections. Labour MP Stella Creasy warned that applying the terrorism label to protesters risks diluting the term and that targeting those testing free-speech boundaries confuses government intent. Jarvis emphasised lawful protest remains permitted while distinguishing support for Palestine from support for a proscribed organisation.
Read at www.bbc.com
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