A former environmental adviser to the King was among more than 150 pro-Palestinian protesters arrested on terrorism offences outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Some 200 officers were deployed to the area around the court in a major operation on Thursday, in which a total of 152 people were detained at the demonstration expressing support for proscribed group Palestine Action.
Two protesters were arrested for attempting to put up staging outside the magistrates’ court, despite warnings from the Met Police last night that those attending the event would likely be committing an offence.
Among activists detained was Sir Jonathon Porritt, a longstanding Green Party member and former environmental adviser to Charles III for 30 years.
‘I am a supporter of Palestine Action. Trying to save lives is not terrorism. Exposing this government’s complicity in genocide is not terrorism. I support Palestine Action and hope others will too’, he said in defiance as he was led away by officers.
Two protesters were arrested for assaulting emergency workers, while another four were detained on suspicion of encouraging or assisting a crime.
The event had been organised by Defend Our Juries to coincide with legal proceedings for people arrested for backing Palestine Action and went ahead despite the hearings having been adjourned before today.
Defend Our Juries said in a statement: ‘From 12pm today, hundreds of people have been gathering to take part in a ‘Graduation Day’ organised by Defend Our Juries, coinciding with a scheduled review hearing for the prosecution of 1,579 people under section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 for holding signs in support of Palestine Action during mass silent vigils in Parliament Square last year.’
Deputy assistant commissioner Andy Valentine said: ‘This operation was about enforcing the law. And the law is clear that expressing support for proscribed organisations is a criminal offence.
‘Around 200 officers were involved in today’s policing operation. That means 200 officers taken off the capital’s streets, where they could have been tackling the crimes that matter most to Londoners.
‘While these individuals were deliberately getting themselves arrested, officers across London have dealt with almost 6,000 calls – including to high-risk missing children, serious sexual assaults and violent attacks.’