"Britain's Metropolitan Police arrested 857 peoplefor "showing support" for Palestine Action, an activist group thatthe government designated under the Terrorism Act in July. In doing so, the government made it a crime to wear an item of clothing, or display or carry something that might "arouse reasonable suspicion" that one is a member or supporter of the group. The penalty is prison time, a fine, or both."
"More than 1,000 people showed up with a sign, including many elderly people "The staggering number of arrests at yesterday's peaceful protest marks a new low for protest rights in this country," said Kerry Moscogiuri, Amnesty International UK's director of campaigns and communications, in a statement Sunday. "It's completely ridiculous for police to be targeting and arresting people for sitting down, quietly holding a sign.""
"Another 33 people were arrested for other offenses, including 17 for assaults on police officers, the police said. Mike Higgins, who is blind and uses a wheelchair, was among those arrested. As officers wheeled him to a police vehicle, he called out "Free, free Palestine," a video posted by Defend our Juries showed. Higgins held up his sign before he was lifted into the van."
British police arrested 857 people in London under the Terrorism Act for showing support for Palestine Action after a sit-in defying the group's ban. The law makes wearing or carrying items that could "arouse reasonable suspicion" of support a criminal offense punishable by prison or fines. All arrested individuals will be investigated by the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command; another 33 were arrested for other offenses, including alleged assaults on officers. Organizers had urged protesters to "Lift the Ban," and more than 1,000 people gathered, drawing criticism from Amnesty International over protest rights.
Read at The Washington Post
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