A Palestine Action protest is under way in central London ahead of an expected government announcement on proscribing the group as a terrorist organisation. Hundreds of people met at Trafalgar Square after police banned them from protesting outside of Parliament. Activists from the group broke into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire last week and spray painted military planes red to protest against the UK's support of Israel during the war in Gaza. Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley said he was "shocked and frustrated" about the protest, but said it could not be stopped unless proscription came into force. Organisers made the last-minute venue change after Scotland Yard enforced an exclusion zone across much of Westminster. Met Commissioner Sir Mark said while the force had no legal power to stop the protest, they would impose the conditions "robustly". Charing Cross, next to Trafalgar Square, was blocked for a time as protesters gathered, some waving Palestinian flags and chanting: "We will not be silenced." Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is expected to announce plans to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist group on Monday afternoon. The expected move to proscribe the group has drawn criticism from a number of human rights groups and activists. Labour peer and activist Baroness and Shami Chakrabarti said that she did not advocate criminal activity in protest, she felt proscription was a "step too far." Chancellor Rachel Reeves condemned Palestine Action's behaviour as "totally unacceptable" ahead of the statement in Parliament later. "To cause damage to military assets, but also to cause such damage to privately owned assets, it is unacceptable whatever your views are on what's happening in the Middle East," she said.
Palestine Action holds protest ahead of expected crackdown on group
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"Protest Held by Palestine Action in London Amid Threat of Terrorism Designation"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
A protest organized by Palestine Action is currently taking place in central London, coinciding with the anticipation of a government decision to designate the group as a terrorist organization. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at Trafalgar Square after police imposed restrictions that prevented them from protesting outside Parliament. The protest follows a recent incident where activists from Palestine Action broke into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, vandalizing military aircraft as a form of protest against the UK's support for Israel amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley expressed his shock and frustration regarding the protest but clarified that the police could not intervene unless the proposed proscription was enacted. The protest's location was altered at the last minute due to an exclusion zone established by Scotland Yard across much of Westminster, but attendees remained adamant, chanting slogans such as "We will not be silenced" while waving Palestinian flags.
The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, is expected to announce the government's plans to officially label Palestine Action as a terrorist group in a statement scheduled for Monday afternoon. This anticipated move has sparked backlash from various human rights organizations and activists, who argue that such a designation could stifle legitimate dissent. Prominent figures, including Labour peer Baroness Shami Chakrabarti, have criticized the decision, asserting that while they do not condone illegal activities, labeling the group as terrorists is excessive. Chancellor Rachel Reeves also condemned the actions of Palestine Action, describing their behavior as "totally unacceptable". She emphasized that causing damage to military and private assets is indefensible, regardless of one’s stance on Middle Eastern affairs. The unfolding events reflect a significant moment in the ongoing discourse surrounding protest rights and governmental powers in the UK, particularly in relation to sensitive geopolitical issues.
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