Police have failed to arrest supporters of the banned group Palestine Action as 11 activists sat holding signs for 60 minutes without being detained.
Protests were held in both Totnes and Edinburgh today as part of a campaign opposing the proscription of the direct action organisation.
But despite more than 100 arrests last week and 200 total arrests since the ban came into force on July 5, protesters today were allowed to hold their signs.
It marked a stark contrast to last week when rallies were held in London, Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh and Truro where activists were physically carried away and detained by police amid shouts of ‘fascist’ and ‘Starmer’s project of fear has failed’.
The ban on Palestine Action means membership of or support for the direct action group is now a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison, under the Terrorism Act 2000.
Due to the ban, inviting or expressing support for the organisation – through chanting, clothing or displaying articles like flags, signs or logos – is a criminal offence.
Organisers behind today’s protests, Defend Our Juries, have argued police’s decision to ‘exercise discretion to leave peaceful protestors be’ has suggested the ban on the group is unworkable as activists (in Totnes) ‘defend our ancient liberties in a small, rural town’.
It comes as yesterday UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk argued the proscription of Palestine Action was a violation of international law.
The group was proscribed by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper after its members caused an estimated seven million pounds worth of damage to RAF Brize Norton planes on June 20.
Ms Cooper also claimed ‘[the group’s] activity has increased in frequency and severity since the start of 2024 and its methods have become more aggressive, with its members demonstrating a willingness to use violence’.
Defend Our Juries says around 500 people are expected to take part in a ‘mass sign-holding’ on August 9 after today’s protesters held signs saying ‘I Oppose Genocide. I Support Palestine Action’.
In Totnes protesters were joined by dozens more holding signs with their own wording, as well as people holding trade union flags and hundreds of supporters singing ‘Lift the ban, now, for Gaza’ and applauding speeches calling for the Home Secretary to Lift The Ban.
Attending the protest was journalist George Monbiot who argued ‘Palestine Action are protesters not terrorists’.
He said: ‘The proscription of Palestine Action is the most illiberal thing any Home Secretary has done for at least 30 years.
‘The result is an Orwellian situation, in which people gently calling for peace are arrested under the Terrorism Act, while the government actively assists Israeli state terror, as it perpetrates genocide in Gaza. This is an assault on free speech, on logic and on human decency.’
In a letter to police ahead of the demo, the Totnes residents claimed: ‘In continuing to support the Israeli government in its genocide, including through the ongoing export of parts for F-35 fighter jets, the British government is committing crimes under the Genocide Act 1969, which is binding in UK law.’
Similar sign-holding protests are scheduled to take place today in Derry for a third week where, so far, the local police have made no arrests. On Wednesday Derry City & Strabane District Council became the first elected politicians to openly defy the ban and call for it to be lifted.
Activists have been protesting against the UK’s supplying of arms in Gaza, which has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians since October 7 – when 1,200 Israelis were killed by a Hamas incursion into the country amid the continued occupation of Palestinian territories.
Although seemingly absent from today’s protest, Devon and Cornwall Police said in a statement on demonstrations last week: ‘A number of placards which were contrary to the law remained on display despite police advice.
‘Eight people, two men and six women, were arrested on suspicion of offences under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000. They remain in police custody.’
The force has been contacted for further comment as has Police Scotland.