30 people arrested during protest in support of Palestine Action

30 people were arrested during a peaceful protest outside City Hall in support of the proscribed group Palestine Action.

A crowd applauded and expressed gratitude to those being arrested as officers lifted and led them into police vans on Saturday afternoon.

The protesters sat with placards reading: ‘I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action’, as part of nationwide protests organised by Defend Our Juries to ‘Lift the Ban’ on the proscribed group.

Officers formed a line in front of the protesters sitting outside City Hall – photo: Karen Johnson

Among those arrested were sustainability campaigner and director of Friends of the Earth Jonathon Porritt, journalist Mike Jempson, and retired GP Diana Warner.

“I want to say that I am the daughter of a holocaust survivor and I know what it is like to grow up in the shadows of genocide,” said Diana, moments before her arrest. “I cannot stand by while my country and my government pay and aid and abet the genocide of the Gaza people.”

She continued: “I cannot stand by and do nothing.

“So I am grateful to Palestine Action for taking some stand to destroy some of the weapons that are made here in Bristol in Filton and used to go and bomb innocent civilians intentionally.

“How can we all stand by and let it happen?

In information shared before the protest on Saturday, campaigners said their action in Bristol would “pose a dilemma” for the Avon and Somerset Police as local police forces are “operationally independent” of the central government and need to make their “own choice about how to react” to these protests.

They added: “Several police forces have chosen not to arrest Lift the Ban sign-holders, respecting their fundamental right to protest and to freedom of expression.

“Sign-holders in Derry, Edinburgh, Totnes, Norwich and Kendal have not been arrested at Lift the Ban protests despite informing the police in advance of their plans.

“Campaigners are calling on the Avon and Somerset Police to respond to the peaceful protests proportionately.”

Sustainability activist and director of Friends of the Earth, Jonathon Porritt was one of the 30 people arrested on Saturday – photo: Rob Browne

Avon and Somerset Police officers attempted to engage and explain to the protesters that it was an offence to express support for Palestine Action after it was proscribed in July.

A total of 30 people were arrested under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 on suspicion of displaying articles in support of a proscribed organisation.

Another woman was arrested on suspicion of failing to provide details under the Police Reform Act 2002.

Inspector Ben Spence said: “While we will always work to enable peaceful and lawful protest, we have always made it clear that we will intervene where criminal offences are committed.

“The protest has now safely concluded and the police operation has been stood down. I’d like to thank everyone for their understanding.”

Many protesters denied when asked to stand up and were then lifted by officers to facilitate the arrest – photo: Rob Browne

Before the protest, a spokesperson from Defend Our Juries said: “The chorus of condemnation against the ban continues to grow as does the number of principled people standing up against the government’s authoritarian overreach.

“These historic mobilisations will honour those already imprisoned for risking everything to disrupt the flow of arms to Israel. The Filton 24 and Brize Norton 5 must be granted immediate bail and full access to the evidence they need to defend themselves.

“These actions will also, once again, be in solidarity with the people of Gaza and the West Bank.

“Both Conservative and Labour governments have been shamefully complicit in the horrors continuing to unfold in Palestine and the use of counter-terrorism legislation to silence their critics must end now.”

A man sat silently with his hands folded, as police officers attempted to speak to him ahead of his arrest – photo: Rob Browne

Main photo: Rob Browne

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