Full Breakdown
UK Police Arrest Campaigners Ahead of Protest Against Palestine Action Ban
9/3/2025, 3:43:05 AM
Arrests and Context of the Proscription
On September 2, 2025, counter-terrorism police in the UK arrested five key members of the campaign group Defend Our Juries (DOJ) during dawn raids. This occurred just hours before the group was set to hold a press conference regarding a planned mass protest against the UK government's ban on the direct action group Palestine Action, which was designated as a terrorist organization on July 5, 2025. The ban followed an incident where Palestine Action activists broke into RAF Brize Norton and vandalized military aircraft, claiming to protest UK arms sales to Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The arrests were made under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000, which prohibits support for proscribed organizations. Those arrested included Tim Crosland, a former government lawyer, and law student Paddy Friend, who had hosted a Zoom call providing legal guidance to potential protesters. The DOJ had previously organized protests that resulted in over 700 arrests, including 522 during a demonstration in Parliament Square on August 9, 2025.
Planned Protest and Public Response
Despite the arrests, DOJ announced that the planned protest on September 6, 2025, would proceed, with over 1,000 participants expected to hold signs reading, “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” The group emphasized that the police's actions were an attempt to suppress free speech and dissent, describing the situation as an unprecedented assault on democratic rights. A spokesperson for DOJ stated, “Locking up our key spokespeople just hours before they were due to hold a press conference constitutes an unprecedented assault on free speech in our country.”
Official Statements and Criticism
Chief Superintendent Helen Flanagan of the Metropolitan Police defended the arrests, stating they were part of an ongoing investigation into individuals suspected of encouraging support for a proscribed organization. She warned that those found guilty of offenses under the Terrorism Act could face serious consequences. However, critics, including Kerry Moscogiuri from Amnesty International UK, condemned the arrests as a violation of international law and an infringement on human rights. Moscogiuri remarked, “Criminalising speech or protest is only permitted when it incites violence, hatred or discrimination. To be clear: expressing support for Palestine Action does not meet this threshold.”
Implications and Next Steps
The arrests have raised concerns about the implications for free speech and the right to protest in the UK. DOJ plans to continue its campaign against the proscription of Palestine Action, asserting that the mass action will demonstrate widespread public opposition to the ban. The group is also urging participants to refuse compliance with police procedures, which they believe could complicate mass arrests.
As the situation develops, the DOJ is preparing for the upcoming protest, which they assert will be a significant challenge for law enforcement, given the number of participants expected. The ongoing legal and political ramifications of the government's actions against Palestine Action and its supporters remain to be seen, with a full legal challenge to the ban scheduled for November 2025.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Locking up our key spokespeople just hours before they were due to hold a press conference announcing more peaceful Lift the Ban protests constitutes an unprecedented assault on free speech in our country.” — Spokesperson, Defend Our Juries
- “This level of political repression is not what we expect in a democracy – it’s the kind of tactic typically associated with authoritarian regimes around the world.” — Spokesperson, Defend Our Juries
- “Criminalising speech or protest is only permitted when it incites violence, hatred or discrimination.” — Kerry Moscogiuri, Director of Campaigns, Amnesty International UK
The unfolding events highlight the tensions between governmental authority and civil liberties in the context of activism related to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
