On Saturday, British police arrested 474 supporters of recently banned pro-Palestinian groups during a protest in central London. The arrests followed a law passed in July that criminalizes public support for these organizations, amidst heightened tensions around British support for Israel in the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
Protesters, many carrying signs that read “I oppose genocide, I support Palestinian actions,” aimed to draw attention to what they view as a suppression of free speech. Organizers claimed that police only managed to detain a fraction of those allegedly committing “terrorism” crimes, asserting that the law was widely ridiculed and ineffective.
The police countered that many arrested were participants openly expressing support for Palestinian actions. The protests were strategically timed to burden the justice system, reflecting anger over the government’s military support for Israel. As the protests coincide with a weekend of demonstrations against immigration policies, preparations are in place for multiple events across London in the coming days.
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