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?

[cakeorwine]

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.”

I didn't say that and its always possible for the police to overstep, that will come out in the wash.

But if you hold up a placard saying I support Palestinian Action in the full knowledge they are a proscribed group then I will have to go and search for my tiny violin.

Maybe? Pompous, patronising, superior, belittling attitudes tend to rile people.

It's a good thing that isn't what this person did then, isn't it.

Tbf my initial comment and response wasn't to you and it was a broader one.

But fwiw I think you've been full of hyperbole and it doesn't help your cause.

You will notice I haven't expressed an opinion on a cause

I meant cause in the sense of the thread.

It's very simple

It is illegal under Section 12 of the UK Terrorism Act to express support for a proscribed organisation.

It is not illegal under the UK Terrorism Act Section 12 to express an opinion about something.

You can consider those posts all of that, but they are still in line with MN talk guidelines.

The whole Saturday protest thing has got way out of hand. I often wish a government would have the balls to go whole hog and amend the Freedom of assembly legislation. It is always open to abuse and there are those who know exactly how to play it.

Which is exactly what those muppets holding placards saying they supported PA did so I have no sympathy.

That does not mean I have no sympathy for women and children in Gaza.

Correct. I am gobsmacked that a Hamas terrorist supporter was actually even lightly tapped on the wrist, let alone arrested.

And what about the person in the OP?

They were not holding a sign saying they supported PA but they were still threatened with arrest under Schedule 12.

Do you think the police misinterpreted the law?

Like I said in my previous post it's possible that the police overstep and it will all come out in the wash.

However as far as I can understand they weren't actually arrested in the end? Bit of a moot point then.

It's not a moot point - because the police threatened them with arrest under Section 12 unless they told the police their details.

Details were given and the threat of arrest was withdrawn.

Which seems to be a misuse of the law to get someone's details.

Turns out she was holding a Free Gaza sign another one accusing Israel of committing genocide and a Palestinian flag and she STILL didn't get arrested, even though only a Hamas supporter would behave like this.

Only a terrorist sympathiser would be upset with the police talking to her about her pro terrorist behaviour.

So you do want to curb the right to protest. Thank you for making it clear you support authoritarian politics.

Turns out she was holding a Free Gaza sign another one accusing Israel of commiting genocide and a Palestinian flag and she STILL didn't get arrested, even though only a Hamas supporter would behave like this

Don't be ridiculous. Opposing what Israel is doing does not mean you support Hamas. Only a bear of very little brain would think in such simplistic terms. The world isn't black and white.

@cakeorwine

I disagree.

The police have always had the ability if they have reasonable grounds to suspect.

I agree @pointythings there are some remarkably stupid people on this thread, and in the police force it seems. If someone can't distinguish between supporting the human rights of people and supporting a terrorist organisation its a reflection on them.

It is scary though to think freedom of speech is being shut down like this. The analogy with NI upthread is a good one. If people can't peacefully gather and hold placards then that's an oppressive regime. If the police have authority to interpret those placards in whatever way they please and make assumptions about their meaning that is also signs of an oppressive regime. It makes me worry what comes next.

And that's very draconian and a misuse.

And suddenly their "reasonable suspicion" vanished after details were given.

If you "reasonably suspect" someone is supporting a proscribed organisation and you threaten them with arrest unless they tell you their details - and then they give you their details - so what changed with their "reasonable suspicion"

Hate to state the obvious but once someone is identified checks can be made. That's the entire point. They are then able to decide on balance what the appropriate action should be.

Seems entirely sensible to me.

Always the same dramatics with Pro Palestine. Never a middle ground, just instant knee jerk reactions to a perfectly reasonable suggestion. The freedoms are always abused.

Does it?

What happened to their "reasonable grounds to suspect"?

Do you think that if this person had refused to give their details, then the police would have arrested them under Section 12 of the UK Terrorism Act.

Do you then think that the CPS would have prosecuted them?

And what basis would that prosecution have been on?

The police had no grounds to suspect this person of "Expressing support for a proscribed organisation"

@willyoujustbequiet you're on a hide into nothing. Remember fireworks being thrown at police and diners harassed during the protests? Nothing will convince me any good is coming from this. Nothing has or will change to events happening far away.

Irrelevant to the OP