Mass Arrests as Pro-Palestinian Protesters Crushed in London

DID Press: British authorities have once again come under criticism for undermining the right to peaceful assembly after police cracked down on pro-Palestinian demonstrations in central London.

International media reported that police detained more than 425 people during protests outside Parliament, where demonstrators gathered to oppose the government’s decision to ban the group “Action for Palestine.”

Protesters carried placards with slogans such as “I oppose genocide” and “I support Action for Palestine.”

London police said the arrests were made on charges including assaulting officers and supporting a proscribed organization.

UK government recently designated Action for Palestine as a banned group, placing it in the same category as al-Qaeda and ISIS, and criminalizing any form of support. The move has triggered strong condemnation from human rights activists, who warn it poses a serious threat to freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest.