Palestine Action: an eyewitness account of the first ‘terror’ arrests

Chris Hobbs the first police actions against the newly 'proscribed' group alongside following the annual Pride march in the capital

On Saturday, as last year, I decided to make the short journey into Central London to take a look at the Pride event. I’d previously found the ‘vibe’ a positive one while the lengthy procession was, in many parts, spectacular. I was of course aware that Palestine Action had become a proscribed organisation at midnight.

On arrival at Westminster, with the parade some way off, I decided to take a look at an alternative event staged by a Lesbian group who felt that the Pride concept wasn’t for them.

On my way to their meeting point of Victoria Park Gardens I passed a small group who were positioned along the railings of Parliament. They were participating in some form of hunger strike in support of those ‘starving’ in Gaza and were very much of older generation. There was no reference amongst their placards to Palestine Action, and after a brief, friendly chat, I made it to Victoria Tower Gardens to find it almost deserted.

Events in Parliament Square

I returned to Parliament Square and noticed a gathering at the far end. I assumed it was the Lesbian group but as I approached, I realised that whilst there was a very small Lesbian group to the right of the main gathering, that gathering consisted of around thirty individuals, many of whom were clutching placards clearly showing support for Palestine Action.

There was a police presence clearly visible amongst a group of pro-Palestine activists who were providing support for those holding the placards without actually ‘putting themselves on offer’ in terms of committing an offence; added to the mix were a number of curious tourists.

Conspicuous by their absence

One visible aspect in respect of the Palestine Action supporters was the ageing demographic of a number of protesters. They were, what could affectionately be termed, archetypal ‘leftist crusties.’ There was little evidence of the more youthful Palestine Action activists that had scuffled with police at Trafalgar Square at the start of the week and again outside the Royal Courts of Justice the previous day when their appeal against being designated a proscribed terror organisation was lost.

The fact that youthful Palestine Action activists were conspicuous by their absence begged the question as to how this protest, involving a number of elderly protesters, was organised and whether it was intended that those participating would be arrested thus generating national and international headlines: The number of national press representatives that were gathered indeed suggested that they had been ‘tipped off.’

Whoever was behind the arrangements for this event would have been only too well aware that Met officers carrying off those of pensionable age would result in increased publicity and optically present Met officers in an unfavourable light.

Several carriers of TSG units arrived to assist in the arrests and when those arrets began, it triggered a feeding frenzy amongst the TV crews and photographers present.

Met officers; ‘Solicitous’ and ‘gentle.’

In actual fact, the Met officers couldn’t have been more solicitous, giving the protesters every chance to change their minds and leave. When individuals were removed it was done carefully and gently. One smiling lady engaged in a friendly chat with ‘her’ police officer. When two others came to escort her away, she graciously and smilingly shook both their hands.

A few protesters opted for the totally passive approach including two men who were the least cooperative of the group. These individuals had to be bodily removed. Those pro-Palestinians watching but who opted not to ‘put themselves on offer’ to police, burst into applause as each protester was led away.

The Pride event sees links to Gaza

Once the Palestine Action protesters had been removed, their supporters and officers began to drift away and a walk back up Whitehall saw the first participants of the Pride procession arrive; this was to the delight of the large crowds which had gathered around Trafalgar Square and at the top of Whitehall. In Trafalgar Square itself, a free concert was taking place.

The situation in Gaza did, however, have an impact on the procession. One of the early groups to arrive were under the banner of ‘Queers for a free Palestine.’ Others carried placards criticising Hamas. Further back along the route, Youth Demand activists halted the passage of a CISCO systems lorry and splattered it with red paint on the grounds that the CISCO company ‘did business’ with Israel. The lorry did finish the route; I know as I saw it but believed the red paint was part of the vehicle’s livery!!!

It remains to be seen whether Palestine Action activists migrate to Youth Demand who also indulge in ‘direct action’ but not of the sort that injures police officers and company employees or causes millions of pounds worth of damage.

Pride; a cheerful and welcoming ‘vibe’

After viewing and enjoying the early sections of the procession, I walked around the Trafalgar Square area. The pubs were full to overflowing and again, what is termed ‘the vibe’ was cheerful and welcoming.

The celebrations extended to Soho where there was a Jewish Pride celebration which was accompanied by security. The organisers apparently felt they wouldn’t be welcome by some groups involved in the main procession.

Arrests and the future

It would seem that five Youth Demand activists were arrested for the above- mentioned criminal damage to the CISCO lorry while another male was arrested for displaying a placard that allegedly, would cause offence to those participating in the celebration. Twenty-nine arrests were made under the Terrorism Act in respect of the Palestine Action protest in Parliament Square.

There has been no statement from the Met in respect of any other arrests linked to events in Central London.

It now remains to be seen how Palestine Action activists and, more importantly their supporters, will react to their being proscribed at the next main Palestine Solidarity Committee protest scheduled for the 19th of July. Hundreds of participants defiantly displaying Palestine Action placards will present a major challenge to Met who doubtless will be compelled to formulate, in advance, a contingency plan should this situation arise.

Chris Hobbs is a former Special Branch officer who follows public order events for Police Oracle. 

Category: Terrorism and Allied Matters