Police have begun arresting protesters who are demonstrating against the terror ban of the group Palestine Action.
Hundreds of people have gathered in Parliament Square in Westminster to hold up signs, which read: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action”.
The Metropolitan Police said it has brought it officers from other forces to help deal with a busy weekend of protests.
Between 600 and 700 people are taking part in the demonstration against the terror ban, organisers of the action in Westminster said on Saturday.
The government’s proscription of Palestine Action as a terror group is currently being challenged in the High Court, with a court case expected later in the autumn.
However it is an offence to hold up a sign or wear a t-shirt in support of a terror group under section 13 of the Terrorism Act.
The crowd, who gathered in Westminster at 1pm, could be seen writing “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action” on white placards, with the vast majority remaining silent.
Several demonstrators carrying placards that read “Palestine Action terrorises Britain while Hamas hides in hospitals, schools and mosques”, briefly walked along the crowd before being led away by Metropolitan Police officers.
Other clusters of protesters who were not holding placards gathered around the Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela statues in the square singing pro-Palestinian chants.
This is a breaking story…
