Blind British Activist Re-Arrested on “Terrorism” Charges

DID Press: London’s Metropolitan Police have once again arrested Mike Higgins, a blind British activist with disabilities, on allegations of violating anti-terrorism laws. Higgins had previously been detained for carrying a placard opposing genocide and expressing solidarity with Palestine during protest rallies.

According to British media, Metropolitan Police officers detained Higgins for the second time on Thursday under the country’s counterterrorism legislation. Higgins, a vocal critic of Israeli policies, had earlier been arrested at a pro-Palestine demonstration for carrying a sign reading: “I oppose genocide; I stand with Palestine,” though he was released after several hours.

Reports indicate that on this occasion, Higgins was among more than a thousand demonstrators who gathered in London from morning until night to protest Israeli policies and show solidarity with the Palestinian people. Local sources said police arrested hundreds of participants during the day-long protests.

The arrests come amid growing concern from human rights organizations over the widespread use of counterterrorism laws to suppress peaceful demonstrations in the United Kingdom.