The proscription of Palestine Action – banning membership or support for the organisation on the ground that the home secretary believes it is “concerned in terrorism” – has led to hundreds of arrests, two legal challenges and many questions about the state of protest rights in the UK.
More than 500 people were arrested last weekend, the overwhelming majority for displaying a placard in support of a proscribed organisation. This is an offence according to section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000, and carries a sentence of six months or fine. All have been released on bail, save for a handful who refused to give their details to police.
The decision to proscribe has arguably affected the free speech rights of the group and its supporters. This issue is why a High Court judge, Mr Justice Chamberlain, has granted Palestine Action permission to challenge its proscription by means of judicial review.
