LONDON : Police in London have arrested more than 500 people during a sit-in protest supporting Palestine, according to foreign media reports. The demonstration, held in Trafalgar Square, was organized in support of the Palestine Action Group.
Witnesses described scenes where police officers removed activists from the square while other protesters continued to clap and chant slogans. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that 523 individuals, aged between 18 and 87, were detained. Authorities said the arrests were carried out under anti-terrorism laws.
The Palestine Action Group was designated a “terrorist organization” by the British government in July. Under the designation, membership or expressing support for the group can lead to a prison sentence of up to 14 years.
However, in mid-February, the High Court overturned the ban citing concerns over freedom of expression. The government has since appealed that ruling. Following the court order, police temporarily halted arrests, but resumed operations in late March.
Since the ban was imposed, nearly 3,000 arrests have been made, most of them for holding placards in support of the group. Hundreds of people have now been charged.
Human rights organization Amnesty International condemned the police actions, stating that they violate civil liberties and the right to peaceful protest. In response, the Metropolitan Police maintains that it acted in accordance wit
h the law.
