Demonstrators arrested at #PalestineAction event

Mariam Issimdar, August 16, 2025

"More than a dozen people have been arrested in Norwich city centre for showing support for Palestine Action, which has recently been proscribed by the government as a terrorist organisation.

"Norfolk Police said 13 people 'holding placards showing support' for the group were arrested outside City Hall during the protest, which started at 12:30 BST.

"They were held on suspicion of displaying an item in support of a proscribed organisation, contrary to #Section13 of the #TerrorismAct2000.

"Five people were taken to Wymondham police station for questioning while the other eight were de-arrested after they gave their details to police.

"A 14th person had a sign seized by officers.

"The force said the protest was over by 14:00 BST.

"Supt Wes Hornigold said: 'We will always work to facilitate peaceful protest and protect the democratic right to assembly. However, the actions of this group were unlawful.

" 'Our officers' role is to prevent disorder, damage and disruption in the local community and they will use their powers to do this. Any breaches of the law will be dealt with.'

"The arrests came a day after the Metropolitan Police said a further 60 people would be prosecuted for supporting Palestine Action."

Read more:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1dxz9px2v1o

#FreePalestine #UKPol #RightToProtest #BibiIsAWarCriminal #IsraeliWarCrimes #EndTheGazaGenocide #FreeGaza

#Australia will recognize a #PalestinianState, Prime Minister Albanese says

By CHARLOTTE GRAHAM-MCLAY
Updated 6:21 AM EDT, August 11, 2025

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — "Australia will recognize a Palestinian state, Prime Minister #AnthonyAlbanese said Monday, joining the leaders of #France, #Britain and #Canada in signaling they would do so.

"His remarks followed weeks of urging from within his Cabinet and from many in Australia to recognize a Palestinian state and amid growing criticism from officials in his government over suffering in #Gaza, which Albanese on Monday referred to as a 'humanitarian catastrophe.'

"Australia’s government has also criticized plans announced in recent days by Israeli leader #BenjaminNetanyahu for a sweeping new military offensive in Gaza."

https://apnews.com/article/australia-palestinian-state-albanese-3d32a2d823a430cb85d3f6a83158dd90

#FreePalestine #IsraeliWarCrimes #BibiIsAWarCriminal #Genocide #HumanitarianCrisis

#PalestineAction protest arrests rise to more than 500

by Adam Hale, 8/10/2025

"The number of arrests at Saturday's demonstration in London in support of banned group Palestine Action has risen to 532.

"The Metropolitan Police said the majority of arrests - 521 - were for displaying placards in support of Palestine Action at Westminster's Parliament Square, and one at a Palestine Coalition march.

"Six arrests were for assaulting police officers, two for breaching Public Order Act conditions, one for obstructing a constable and one for a racially aggravated public order offence.
It was the biggest protest since the government proscribed the group in July under the #TerrorismAct, making membership of or support for it a criminal offence, punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

"The force previously said that the number of arrests was the largest made by the force on a single day in the last 10 years.

"The average age of those arrested was 54, and the most arrests - 147 of them - were of people aged between 60 and 69.
The Metropolitan Police said its counter terrorism team was now working on bringing charges against those accused of supporting Palestine Action.

"Over the coming days and weeks, officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command will work to put together the case files required to secure charges against those arrested as part of this operation."

Some protesters chose to walk out quietly with officers, but those who refused to move or were lying on the ground were carried away

The protest, organised by Defend Our Juries, saw hundreds of people simultaneously pull out placards with the message "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action" when Big Ben chimed at 13:00 BST on Saturday.

Police started making multiple arrests at a time, working their way through the crowds, with those who refused to move being carried out by police to chants of "shame on you" directed at the officers.
Protesters whose details could be confirmed at temporary prisoner processing points nearby were released on bail to appear at a police station at a future date, under condition not to attend future demonstrations related to Palestine Action.

But 212 protesters who refused to provide their details or were found to have been arrested while already on bail were taken into custody.

Police said as of 13:00 on Sunday, 18 of them remained in custody but were expected to be released during the day.

The majority of arrests at the demonstration were of people aged 60 to 69

Security expert Lizzie Dearden told the BBC that the laws the protesters were arrested under "were not designed for a group of this nature or a group of this size".

"When [the Terrorism Act] was drafted in the late Nineties, the kind of terrorist group that was really being envisaged were groups like the IRA, al-Qaeda, armed militant groups that were operating often abroad.

" 'So the law is being applied in a completely new way.'

"Home Secretary #YvetteCooper thanked police for their response following the demonstration, and said the banning of Palestine Action was based on 'strong security advice following serious attacks the group has committed' as well as 'plans and ideas for further attacks'.

" 'Many people may not yet know the reality of this organisation, but the assessments are very clear - this is not a non-violent organisation," she said.
But charity #AmnestyInternational's chief executive Sacha Deshmukh described the mass arrests as "deeply concerning".
He said: "We have long criticised UK terrorism law for being excessively broad and vaguely worded and a threat to #FreedomOfExpression. These arrests demonstrate that our concerns were justified.'

"At the end of July, the High Court ruled that Palestine Action would be able to challenge its proscription.

"Lawyers for the group's co-founder Huda Ammori have argued that the ban breaches the right to free speech and has acted like a gag on legitimate protest.
The government says the ban is justified because it narrowly targets a group that has been organising serious criminality."

Source:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqjyyzlwk2go

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/mTvNt

#ThoughtCrime #UKPol #SilencingDissent #CriminalizingProtest #FreePalestine #IsraeliWarCrimes #BibiIsAWarCriminal

An investigation by Middle East Eye has uncovered an intense and escalating campaign by Israeli, US, UK and Israel-linked figures and organisations to smear and 'derail' International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan. his ICC crimes against humanity case against Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant and the court's arrest warrants for the war criminal pair and others.

https://skwawkbox.org/2025/08/02/icc-prosecutor-khan-target-of-mass-intimidation-campaign-over-netanyahu-arrest-warrant/

#GazaGenocide #IsraeliWarCrimes #BibiIsAWarCriminal

#Dine #Palestinian Liberation Rally

Indian Rt 12 and Hwy 264 in #WindowRock, on August 3, and August 10, at 11 a.m.

#FreePalestine #GazaGenocide #GazaHumanitarianCrisis
#IsraeliWarCrimes #Imperialism #Colonialism #BibiIsAWarCriminal
#DinéResist #Starvation #Genocide

K'É Infoshop: #Dine' #Palestinian Liberation Rally

#Palestinians and Dine' are Bound in a Common Struggle

Article by #BrendaNorrell, #CensoredNews, August 3, 2025

WINDOW ROCK, #NavajoNation -- " 'We share this common struggle with Palestine!' a Dine' voice rang out during today's K'É Infoshop: Dine' Palestinian Liberation Rally.

"'Are our children not sacred anymore?'

" 'Free! Free! Palestine!' sounds out the voices of Dine' now in solidarity with Palestine. 'Children are being bombed.' Dine' voices called out, speaking out for Dine' children and the future. They pointed out the U.S. government's livestock reduction on the Navajo Nation, and the seizure of Navajo resources.

" 'Think about these women and children, think about what they did to us,' a Dine' voice rang out in the Navajo Nation capitol of #WindowRock. Speaking out for love and freedom, she said despite the injustices there is hope.

" 'We were taught to think strong,' she said, raising her voice for the children in Palestine being bombed and poisoned, children without water, children without mothers and fathers. Members of the community are gathered in solidarity with Gaza at the corner of Indian Rt 12 and Hwy 264 in Window Rock today, on August 3, and will gather again on August 10, at 11 a.m.

"K'É Infoshop said, 'Every rally and protest that we organize is intended to help people forge new connections and bond over shared values. In coming together, we demonstrate to the wider public
that there are many among us who want to remain #Diné by continuing to #resist #USImperialism until we are truly free. Outraged by the genocide in #Gaza? Then show up and make your voice heard."

https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2025/08/live-now-ke-infoshop-dine-palestinian.html

#FreePalestine #GazaGenocide #GazaHumanitarianCrisis #IsraeliWarCrimes #Imperialism #Colonialism #BibiIsAWarCriminal #DinéResist #Starvation #Genocide

Tens of thousands turn out for #Sydney pro-#Palestinian march

by Katy Watson and Tabby Wilson, August 3, 2025

"A planned pro-Palestinian protest across the #SydneyHarbour Bridge has gone ahead after it was authorised by the Supreme Court just one day prior, in what organisers called a 'historic' decision.

"Tens of thousands turned out for the #MarchForHumanity on Sunday despite torrential rain - with many carrying placards with messages to politicians to stop the war.

"WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was spotted among the protesters, with other notable attendees including federal MP Ed Husic and former NSW Premier Bob Carr.

" 'Shame shame Israel, shame shame USA,' the crowds chanted. 'What do we want? Ceasefire. When do we want it? Now.'

"Lots of families, many with small babies, came out to support the peaceful demonstration. Alongside them, stationed across the bridge, were police officers from the #RiotSquad.

" 'I know it's the other side of the world but it affects us here massively as well,' says dad Alec Beville, who compares the children in Gaza to his three-year-old son Frankie. 'We could be helping a lot more with aid.'

" 'Our government hasn't put any decent #sanctions on #Israel,' says Zara Williams as she carries her baby, Avery, in a sling. 'We [Australia] just can't do nothing while there's a forced starvation of an entire population.'

"Two hours into the march, attendees received a text from #NSWPolice that read: 'In consultation with the organisers, the march needs to stop due to public safety and await further instructions.'

"It asked everyone on the bridge to stop walking north and turn back toward the city in a 'controlled' way.

"Police have estimated that 90,000 people attended Sunday's march.

"Transport for NSW told motorists to avoid the city, warning of major delays and disruptions across Sydney's road and public transport network due to the protest.

"Sydney-based activist organisation #PalestineAction Group lodged a notice of intention for the march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge last Sunday, in response to what it called the 'atrocity' in #Gaza.

"Police rejected the application on the grounds that there was not enough time to prepare a traffic management plan, and warned of a potential crowd crush and other safety concerns.

"In a statement the following day, NSW Premier Chris Minns said they could not allow Sydney to 'descend into chaos' and would not be able to support a protest of 'this scale and nature' taking place on the bridge.

"The police also made an application to the NSW Supreme Court for a prohibition order for the event, which was declined just 24 hours before the protest was due to go ahead.

"According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Justice Belinda Rigg said safety concerns regarding the march were 'well founded', but march organiser Josh Lees from the #PalestineActionGroup had 'compellingly' explained the reasons why he believed there needed to be an urgent response to the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

"She said there was no evidence that a prohibition order would enhance public safety, and ordered the Sydney Harbour Bridge to be closed to vehicles, in addition to roads surrounding the proposed route.

"The final-hour authorisation gives attendees protection under the Summary Offences Act, meaning they will not be charged for offences specifically relating to public assembly, such as blocking traffic.

"In a statement published to Instagram, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies said that it was 'disappointed' by the Supreme Court's decision to authorise the protest on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. [Yeah, well, I'm disappointed that some Jewish folks support #Genocide!]

"#Australia has been under mounting pressure to recognise #PalestinianStatehood, after #France, #Canada and the #UK all separately indicated that they would do so with conditions at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September.

"Speaking on ABC's 7.30 programme, Prime Minister #AnthonyAlbanese said he wants to see conditions met that achieve lasting security for Israel before Australia commits to recognition of a Palestinian state.

"He added that he would not be pushed into the decision by other nations." [Well, maybe you'll be pushed into the decision by your own CITIZENS!]

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clydnvw1dg5o?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

#FreePalestine #ACAB #EndGazaGenocide #IsraeliWarCrimes #BibiIsAWarCriminal #AustraliaResists #GazaHumanitarianCrisis