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to think that just because you say something about Israel and Gaza does not mean that you should be threatened with arrest under the terrorism act?

482 replies

cakeorwine · 18/07/2025 18:59

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/17/armed-police-threatened-to-arrest-kent-protester-for-holding-palestinian-flag

She had a sign saying "Free Gaza" and "Israel is committing genocide"

She was threatened with arrest under the terrorism act because a certain group that has been deemed to be a terrorist group also share those same views - and therefore the lady was supporting a terrorist group.

In the encounter, which she filmed, one officer told her: “Mentioning freedom of Gaza, Israel, genocide, all of that all come under proscribed groups, which are terror groups that have been dictated by the government.”

He went on to say that the phrase “Free Gaza” was “supportive of Palestine Action”, adding it was an offence “to express an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organisation, namely Palestine Action is an offence under section 12(1A) of the Terrorism Act”. The officer told her she had committed that offence.

I can think of many groups who share those same beliefs. Having that belief does not mean you support that group.

A Kent police spokesperson said: “Under the Terrorism Act it is a criminal offence to carry or display items that may arouse reasonable suspicion that an individual is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation such as Palestine Action.”

Armed police threatened to arrest Kent protester for holding Palestinian flag

Officers accused Laura Murton who also had a sign saying ‘Free Gaza’ of supporting a proscribed organisation

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/17/armed-police-threatened-to-arrest-kent-protester-for-holding-palestinian-flag

OP posts:
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5
ArtfulGoldWriter · 19/07/2025 22:33

TooMuchLight · 19/07/2025 22:30

Would your time not be better spent actually DOING something? Helping out in the local soup kitchen, providing some much needed conversation to an isolated pensioner, raising funds for charities tackling homelessness? I honestly can't get my head round why you would spend your free time walking up and down a high street with a homemade banner, protesting about Gaza: what do you hope to achieve, and why this particular cause?

This is DOING something. It’s objecting to a genocide.

ArtfulGoldWriter · 19/07/2025 22:32

Oh and for the record- holding a placard which objects to the slaughter and starvation of women and children in Gaza should not mean arrest.

History will judge those who ignored what is happening - including the current government who continue to support Arms sales to Israel.

TooMuchLight · 19/07/2025 22:30

Janeb1965 · 19/07/2025 17:10

I spent an hour today as I have pretty much every Saturday since Oct 2023 in my nearest town centre with a placard calling for ceasefire in Gaza. Numbers vary, there are usually a core of about 25 - 30 of us. Its a town popular with tourists, this week we've had Germans and Americans join us, and also some folk from other parts of the UK. So in total about 50 folk. All very peaceful, no police presence (although I did wonder).

I've done this and other similar protests since I was 15 or so, I'm 60 now. I won't stop and eventually if I get arrested, then so be it. I'd rather not, but standing up, peacefully, for what I believe in is not something that I am prepared to have taken away from me.

Would your time not be better spent actually DOING something? Helping out in the local soup kitchen, providing some much needed conversation to an isolated pensioner, raising funds for charities tackling homelessness? I honestly can't get my head round why you would spend your free time walking up and down a high street with a homemade banner, protesting about Gaza: what do you hope to achieve, and why this particular cause?

ArtfulGoldWriter · 19/07/2025 22:14

@cakeorwine you are absolutely not being unreasonable.

You might want to watch this piece by Led by donkeys which might explain some
of the lobbying going on too:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/Ui70R8PCkJ4?feature=shared

ArtfulGoldWriter · 19/07/2025 22:05

Dangermoo · 19/07/2025 16:23

It's not deliberate and it's not murder.

Oh, here again denying the catastrophe in Gaza and derailing yet another thread on Israel’s crimes with arrogance and genocide denial. Lovely.

YourOnMute · 19/07/2025 21:46

Dangermoo · 19/07/2025 20:35

Can you put the empirical evidence for your claims, on that. Thanks.

The recent Hague Group conference is pretty damning.
Can you put some empirical evidence on your claims please? From a global perspective?

Dangermoo · 19/07/2025 20:35

YourOnMute · 19/07/2025 19:38

The white middle class Western trope dragged out again.
The majority of the world's population, not middle class Westerners, do not agree with Israeli actions in Gaza.

Can you put the empirical evidence for your claims, on that. Thanks.

Dangermoo · 19/07/2025 20:33

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Oh the irony and quit with the personal attacks.

Dangermoo · 19/07/2025 20:32

Janeb1965 · 19/07/2025 17:10

I spent an hour today as I have pretty much every Saturday since Oct 2023 in my nearest town centre with a placard calling for ceasefire in Gaza. Numbers vary, there are usually a core of about 25 - 30 of us. Its a town popular with tourists, this week we've had Germans and Americans join us, and also some folk from other parts of the UK. So in total about 50 folk. All very peaceful, no police presence (although I did wonder).

I've done this and other similar protests since I was 15 or so, I'm 60 now. I won't stop and eventually if I get arrested, then so be it. I'd rather not, but standing up, peacefully, for what I believe in is not something that I am prepared to have taken away from me.

🙄

Dideon · 19/07/2025 20:28

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

YourOnMute · 19/07/2025 19:38

The white middle class Western trope dragged out again.
The majority of the world's population, not middle class Westerners, do not agree with Israeli actions in Gaza.

pointythings · 19/07/2025 19:06

Dangermoo · 19/07/2025 18:25

No, Stand fast and not lose their nerve. Are you saying Palestinian lives are worth more than Jewish - isn't that what has been parroted for 19 months?

1 Palestinian civilian' life is worth no more and no less than 1 Israeli civilian life. That being so, the Israeli burden of murder is a significant multiple of that of Hamas on October 7th. Both parties are abhorrent.

Sh291 · 19/07/2025 18:30

Dangermoo · 19/07/2025 18:25

No, Stand fast and not lose their nerve. Are you saying Palestinian lives are worth more than Jewish - isn't that what has been parroted for 19 months?

I'm sorry are innocent babies, women and children being starved, burned alive and blown up in Israel too then?

Yes Hamas is abhorrent, but Israel is just as bad.
Where does it end?
Are you okay with every single Palestinian dead? Will that be enough justice for you?

Sh291 · 19/07/2025 18:27

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20rvdexj8jo

Madness, you'd think our police have actual criminals to deal with. You know actual crimes. Shame the police are too over stretched to target actual criminals like rapists, paedophiles and murderers who are still roaming our streets, but luckily 96 people who don't want babies starved to death are in the cells tonight!

Police arrest a woman in Parliament Square, London

Ninety-six arrests at Palestine Action ban protests across UK

The Met Police says it has made 55 arrests at one of several demonstrations across the country.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20rvdexj8jo

Dangermoo · 19/07/2025 18:25

Sh291 · 19/07/2025 18:22

Stand fast and not lose their nerve in killing innocent children seeking aid? Thats sick. Beyond sick.

No, Stand fast and not lose their nerve. Are you saying Palestinian lives are worth more than Jewish - isn't that what has been parroted for 19 months?

Dangermoo · 19/07/2025 18:22

Sh291 · 19/07/2025 18:16

You could argue same for Palestine though. Where does it end? Both of them obliterating each other untill no one is left?

I don't support Israel or Palestine. I just want the needless murder of innocent babies and children to stop. Don't you?

I feel for any vulnerable victim in this war - no matter what their allegiances.

Sh291 · 19/07/2025 18:22

Dangermoo · 19/07/2025 18:20

No, I think they should stand fast and not lose their nerve. Luckily, a bunch of middle class westerners haven't affected their attention in saving their own people. Do I think the remaining hostages are alive? Absolutely not. However, if Israel stops being offensive, they know 7/10 will happen all over again..

Stand fast and not lose their nerve in killing innocent children seeking aid? Thats sick. Beyond sick.

Dangermoo · 19/07/2025 18:20

thepariscrimefiles · 19/07/2025 18:10

The IDF shooting women and children who are queueing for aid is self defence? Do you think that Israel should keep fighting until every Palestinian is dead?

No, I think they should stand fast and not lose their nerve. Luckily, a bunch of middle class westerners haven't affected their attention in saving their own people. Do I think the remaining hostages are alive? Absolutely not. However, if Israel stops being offensive, they know 7/10 will happen all over again..

Sh291 · 19/07/2025 18:16

Dangermoo · 19/07/2025 18:04

Self defence. What would you do if you knew you and your family wanted to be obliterated? So Israel stops fighting - do you see a happy ending for its people?

You could argue same for Palestine though. Where does it end? Both of them obliterating each other untill no one is left?

I don't support Israel or Palestine. I just want the needless murder of innocent babies and children to stop. Don't you?

Dangermoo · 19/07/2025 18:15

YourOnMute · 19/07/2025 18:06

What's starving the civilian population then? Self defence as well?

No, it's entering into warfare and it's not Israel misdirecting fundamental aids.

thepariscrimefiles · 19/07/2025 18:10

Dangermoo · 19/07/2025 18:04

Self defence. What would you do if you knew you and your family wanted to be obliterated? So Israel stops fighting - do you see a happy ending for its people?

The IDF shooting women and children who are queueing for aid is self defence? Do you think that Israel should keep fighting until every Palestinian is dead?

YourOnMute · 19/07/2025 18:06

What's starving the civilian population then? Self defence as well?

Dangermoo · 19/07/2025 18:04

Dideon · 19/07/2025 17:09

Well what is it then ???

Self defence. What would you do if you knew you and your family wanted to be obliterated? So Israel stops fighting - do you see a happy ending for its people?

kerstina · 19/07/2025 17:25

Pathetic this government has lost the plot . Regret voting for them but no better alternative.

Janeb1965 · 19/07/2025 17:10

I spent an hour today as I have pretty much every Saturday since Oct 2023 in my nearest town centre with a placard calling for ceasefire in Gaza. Numbers vary, there are usually a core of about 25 - 30 of us. Its a town popular with tourists, this week we've had Germans and Americans join us, and also some folk from other parts of the UK. So in total about 50 folk. All very peaceful, no police presence (although I did wonder).

I've done this and other similar protests since I was 15 or so, I'm 60 now. I won't stop and eventually if I get arrested, then so be it. I'd rather not, but standing up, peacefully, for what I believe in is not something that I am prepared to have taken away from me.

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