International Desk Report:
The Metropolitan Police have arrested more than 425 people from an anti-government protest in London to protest the banning of the Palestine Action organization. Thousands of people gathered in Parliament Square for the protest. They participated with various posters and placards, which demanded an end to the massacre in Gaza and messages of support for Palestine Action.
The BBC reported that the UK government banned Palestine Action last July under anti-terrorism laws. As a result, being associated with or publicly supporting the organization is now a legal offense, with a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.
The London Metropolitan Police said that most of those arrested were arrested on charges of directly supporting the banned organization. In addition, more than 25 people were arrested on charges of assaulting police and public order violations.
On the other hand, the organization that organized the rally, Defend Our Juris, alleged that the police used unnecessary violence against peaceful protesters. Even the elderly were not spared. They released a video showing a police officer pushing an elderly protester to the ground.
Protesters became angry as police began to arrest protesters from the crowd, one by one. During the arrests, slogans were repeatedly shouted at the police and they were told to âbe ashamedâ.
âWe are being called terrorists, which is completely meaningless and stupid.â Others said that what is happening in Gaza is a genocide and that the UK government is directly involved in it. They want the government to act responsibly in international humanitarian matters.
The situation became more heated as police were removing protesters from Parliament Square and putting them in vans. The clashes escalated when protesters accused the police of âsupporting genocideâ.