Organisers of the pro-Palestine Action protest have threatened “major escalation” after the Home Secretary granted new powers to the police to crack down on repeated disruptions caused by demonstrations.
Defend Our Juries has hit out at Labour’s plans, dubbing the move an “extraordinary new affront to democracy”.
In retaliation, the group warned that they would ramp up their campaign to lift the ban on Palestine Action before the High Court challenge is heard.
The group also projected that mass civil disobedience in protest of the proscription is expected across the UK from November 18 until November 28.
Following the arrest of 442 people in London yesterday at the “Lift the Ban” protest, police forces across England and Wales were bestowed with new powers to tackle disruption caused by repeated protests on Sunday morning.
Top officers will now be able to assess the cumulative impact of protest activities when deciding whether to limit the group’s future action.
Under the new framework, police will assess whether demonstrations at a particular location have generated ongoing disorder over extended periods.
Officers will also be able to instruct protest organisers to relocate events to other venues if they see fit.
The Met arrested at least 442 protesters in London on Saturday
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The amendments will amend Sections 12 and 14 of the Public Order Act 1986, allowing consideration of the frequency of demonstrations and how they affect local areas.
Those who break the rules will face potential arrest and prosecution.
This morning, Shabana Mahmood announced: “The right to protest is a fundamental freedom in our country. However, this freedom must be balanced with the freedom of their neighbours to live their lives without fear.”
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The Government has said that it plans to implement the new rules as soon as possible, with further details to be announced soon.
At the huge demonstration in the Capital, GB News presenter Dougie Beattie was met with silence as he attempted to question pro-Palestine demonstrators on a number of occasions.
The enthusiastic demonstrators, brandishing signs in support of the Palestine Action Group, ignored repeated attempts to answer questions by the reporter, despite the arrest squads being in position nearby.
Speaking from the protest in Parliament Square, Dougie said: “Not as many young people are here who might get arrested under terrorism laws, so that seems to have sunk in.
The new rules are to be implemented as soon as possible, the Government has said
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“But there are the usual suspects, people of a certain age, from a certain side of the community, who always seem to come out to these protests.
“They are really putting themselves at risk of being arrested and facing terrorism charges, which is quite bizarre.”
Since the protest, the Metropolitan Police have released a statement saying that at least 442 protesters have been arrested, a figure which has continued to rise.
Around 1,500 people, “including priests, vicars, pensioners and healthcare workers”, attended the “Lift The Ban” protest in Trafalgar Square.