BREAKING: Huge clashes erupt as police drag pro-Palestine protesters to ground in major stand-off.uk
The protesters are set to gather in London today in support of the group that could be banned by the Government.
The protest appears to be turning ugly as protestors and police clash (Image: Lucy North/PA Wire)
Protesters are gathering in support of the Palestine Action group before it is expected to be banned by the government.
The campaign group could be proscribed as a terrorist organisation after its members allegedly vandalised two planes at an RAF base at Brize Norton.
Protesters have been left humiliated after being blocked from Trafalgar Square as staff take down staging from West End Live which took place over the weekend.
The proest appears to be turning ugly with protestors seemingly clashing with police.
Images show police dragging protesters to the ground and removing them from the demonstration.
Palestine Action to be banned as ‘terror group’ , Yvette Cooper says
Palestine Action will be proscribed as a terrorist organisation, the Home Secretary has said. Yvette Cooper will lay an order before Parliament next week to make membership and support for the protest group illegal.
The move comes after Palestine Action vandalised two planes inside RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on Friday. The incident is being investigated by counter-terror police.
Yvette Cooper proscribes Palestine Action group
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she has decided to proscribe Palestine Action and will lay an order before Parliament next week which, if passed, will make membership and support for the protest group illegal.
Police charging into the crowd at the Palestine Action protest
Police have been spotted charging into the crowd at the Palestine Action protest shortly after protesters chanted “From the river to the sea”.
Here are some live images:
Police intervening at the Palestine Action protest (Image: Jeff Moore/PA Wire)
Police officers hold back people taking part in the demonstration (Image: Jeff Moore/PA Wire)
Protesters chant ‘stop the bombing now!’
“We are the people, we won’t be silenced, stop the bombing, now, now, now” is being chanted out across Trafalgar Square.
Signs were spotted saying “Defend the right to protest, drop the charges” as well as “Free Palestine” and “Proscribe the real terrorist in the UK government, hands off Palestine Action”.
Several hundred protestors have gathered in Trafalgar Square (Image: Lucy North/PA Wire)
Police clash with protestors
The police appear to be clashing with protestors.
Chants of “let them go” broke out as police dragged a protester from Trafalgar Square.
He was then held for a short period before leaving the area.
Police clash with protestors (Image: Lucy North/PA Wire)
Police officers remove people taking part in a demonstration (Image: Lucy North/PA Wire)
Police drag protesters to ground as chaos erupts
The proest appears to be turning ugly with protestors seemingly clashing with police.
Images show police dragging protesters to the ground and removing them from the demonstration.
Police drag protesters to ground (Image: Lucy North/PA Wire)
‘We won’t be intimidated’ say protestors
Protestors taking part in the pro-Palestine demonstration today are waving banners that read: “We won’t be intimidated. Our movement must defend Palestine Action”.
‘We won’t be intimidated’ say protestors (Image: Lucy North/PA Wire)
Images show supporters of soon-to-be ‘terror’ group gathering in their hundreds
Images show supporters of soon-to-be ‘terror’ group gathering in their hundreds.
The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, is preparing to ban Palestine Action following the group’s vandalism of two planes at an RAF base, making it a criminal offence to belong to or support Palestine Action.
Protestors taking part in a demonstration at Trafalgar Square (Image: Lucy North/PA Wire)
Protest grows to several hundred
ITV’s Paul Brand says several hundred people have now gathered at Trafalgar Square for a protest in aid of Palestine Action.
Footage from the scene show protestors waving flags and chanting.
Are you at the scene? If so, get in touch: lauran.otoole@reachplc.com
Pro-Palestine protesters ‘gathering aimlessly’
Pro-Palestine protesters are “gathering aimlessly” on the edge of Trafalgar Sqaure after finding scaffolding is still being taken down from West End Live at the weekend.
One user on X said: “Palestine Action protest is a damp squib so far. They didn’t realise Trafalgar Square is cordoned off and now are gathering aimlessly. Moronic.”
Banning Palestine Action will put it on a par with Hamas
Banning Palestine Action will put it on a par with Hamas, al-Qaeda and Islamic State. It means that anyone who is a member or supports it will face up to 14 years in jail.
On Sunday night, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley wrote on social media: “I’m sure many people will be as shocked and frustrated as I am to see a protest taking place tomorrow in support of Palestine Action.
“This is an organised extremist criminal group, whose proscription as terrorists is being actively considered. Members are alleged to have caused millions of pounds of criminal damage, assaulted a police officer with a sledgehammer and last week claimed responsibility for breaking into an airbase and damaging aircraft.”
Palestine Action group could be proscribed as a terrorist organisation
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is preparing to present a ministerial statement to Parliament today, June 23, which, if approved, would criminalise membership and support for the group under the Terrorism Act 2000.
This comes after members allegedly vandalised two planes at an RAF base at Brize Norton.
Palestine Action group could be proscribed as a terrorist organisation (Image: PA)
Trafalgar Square ‘cordoned off’
Trafalgar Square has been “cordoned off” as staff take down staging from West End Live which took place over the weekend.
Images from the area show large metal fences surrounding the public sqaure.
Taking to X journalist Matt Capton said: “The scene in Parliament Square in Westminster is everything you’d expect from a sunny June morning.
“However, since Trafalgar Square is now a glorified events and activities space, it’s cordoned off for a turn around of stage rigging.”
Humiliation for Palestine Action as protestors blocked from Parliament
Palestine Action have been banned from protesting outside Parliament today.
The Metropolitan Police has now imposed an exclusion zone around Parliament, with protesters facing arrest if they enter the area. Police have also said any demonstrations in central London by the group cannot begin before 12pm and must end by 3pm.
Good morning
Good morning. My name is Lauran O’Toole and welcome to our live blog.
Protesters are set to gather in Westminster today in support of the Palestine Action group before it is expected to be banned by the government.
