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Authorities have made several arrests at a protest organized in support of Palestine Action, which took place outside the Labour Party conference venue in Liverpool.
Approximately fifty demonstrators gathered on the lawn outside the ACC Liverpool, holding signs with messages such as “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.”
Merseyside Police have stated that officers “are in the process of making arrests on suspicion of wearing/carrying an article supporting a proscribed organisation.” Arrests were made near the Wheel of Liverpool, a prominent landmark in the city.
The government designated Palestine Action as a proscribed group under the Terrorism Act in July. This designation makes membership or support of the organization a criminal offense, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 14 years.
Onlookers applauded and cheered for those being arrested, with some individuals being escorted away by multiple officers.
Defend Our Juries, the organization behind the protest, stated: “Whilst the Labour party congregate at their annual conference, protestors are outside disobeying the unjust ban on Palestine Action.”
The group added that supporters were risking arrest under the Terrorism Act for “silently holding cardboard signs which say ‘I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action’.”
Defend Our Juries is advocating for the UK government to rescind the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist group.
Keith Hackett, 71, stated that he was risking arrest due to feeling “deeply ashamed” of Labour’s actions.
“If they want to start turning the party around and win back the support they have lost, they need to stop their complicity in this genocide and end the ban on Palestine Action.”
Fellow protestor Tayo Aluko, 63, commented: “This is a time for bravery, as was shown by people who went before us, so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today, which are now under threat.”
A separate group of approximately two hundred protestors, waving the Union Jack and St George’s flags while carrying placards opposing the government’s digital ID plans, required separation from the pro-Palestinian demonstrators by police.
Former Home Secretary Yvette Cooper proscribed the group under terrorism laws after paint was daubed on jets at RAF Brize Norton. Police reported that the act resulted in £7 million worth of damage.
Earlier this month, the Home Office was granted permission to challenge a ruling that allowed Palestine Action to appeal against its ban under terror legislation.
The group’s co-founder, Huda Ammori, was granted permission to appeal in July after her lawyers argued the ban breached the right to free speech.
The judge denied an appeal to temporarily lift the ban, which remains in effect pending a full review at the High Court in November.
Cooper has previously defended the proscription, suggesting that some supporters of Palestine Action “don’t know the full nature” of the group.
Earlier this month, more than 425 people were arrested at a demonstration against the ban in Parliament Square in central London.
Police says armed officers arrested the man, 78, in Kensington, on Saturday afternoon.
He rushed into a pub with a “potentially life-changing” arm injury after being attacked, police say.
A driver, passenger, and two police officers needed treatment after the crash on Edge Lane.
Merseyside Police released images of a man they are searching for following the attack in Liverpool.
Merseyside Police said the images of racist graffiti including swastikas were “sickening”.
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