A man dressed as Father Christmas was arrested during a protest in solidarity with Palestine Action on Saturday, creating an unusual spectacle for shoppers.
The suspect who posed as Santa Claus bellowed “ho ho ho, Merry Christmas kids” whilst being hauled by four officers in Haymarket, Norwich, drawing laughter from onlookers.
During his removal, he joked police were “going on the naughty list” and protested he had “presents to make”.
He was among nearly a dozen demonstrators detained during a demonstration organised by the group Defend Our Juries.
The arrests occurred during the rally where participants displayed placards reading “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action” after the group was proscribed a terrorist organisation.
Police detained ten people on suspicion of displaying items supporting a proscribed organisation, violating Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000. They were taken Wymondham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.
Palestine Action was proscribed by the Government in July, making any expression of support for the group a criminal offence.
The ban followed officials’ assessment the group’s serious activities, which included two Voyager aircrafts being vandalised with red paint at RAF Brize Norton in June, met the criteria for proscription under terrorism legislation.
Santa joked police were ‘going on the naughty list’
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DEFEND OUR JURIES
A representative from Defend Our Juries described the demonstration as part of a “historic wave of action” by people resisting Government restrictions on freedom of expression.
Superintendent Terry Lordan, of Norfolk Constabulary, stated that whilst officers work to safeguard democratic assembly rights and enable peaceful demonstrations, their duty includes preventing community disorder and disruption.
“The actions of this group were unlawful and officers have used their powers accordingly,” he explained, emphasising the arrests were necessary.
Hundreds of people have been arrested under the Terrorist Act 2000
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GB NEWS
Since the proscription came into force four months ago, more than 2,000 individuals have faced arrest, according to Defend Our Juries.
Those convicted of membership or support face potential sentences of up to 14 years’ imprisonment.
Palestine Action initiated High Court proceedings agains the Home Office last week challenging the ban’s legality.
Lawyers representing co-founder Huda Ammori claimed historical movements such as the suffragettes could have faced similar terrorism designations under current legislation.
The legal challenge prompted supporters of Palestine Action to gather outside the Royal Courts of Justice, resulting in further arrests.