British police arrested scores of supporters yesterday of a pro-Palestinian protest group that was banned this month under anti-terrorism legislation.
Police said they had arrested at least 41 people in London and 16 others in Manchester for showing support for the group Palestine Action. Campaign group Defend our Juries said 86 people had been arrested across the UK, with other protests held in Wales and Northern Ireland.
British legislators proscribed the group under anti-terrorism legislation earlier this month after some of its members broke into a Royal Air Force base and damaged planes in protest against Britain’s support for Israel.
“Officers have made 41 arrests for showing support for a proscribed organisation. One person has been arrested for common assault,” London’s Metropolitan Police said in a statement on social media about the demonstration.
The British government’s decision to classify Palestine Action as a terrorist group places it in the same category as Al Qaeda and ISIS. Membership now carries a jail sentence of up to 14 years.
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