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.”

Free Gaza is not a slogan that belongs to one group.
I agree with Free Gaza. Gaza should be free of Israeli occupation. Gaza, West Bank and East Jerusalem should not be under Israeli occupation. They're illegally occupied. As per many UN resolutions and international law.
It is not antisemitic or proHamas or pro terrorist to say this. It is not okay to say that it is.
You might disagree, but international law does not.

Sweet that you think I was generalising.

Perhaps you should approach british law regarding your opening sentence and clearly you missed 2005.

I could approach British law but it doesn't apply to the vast majority of the globe who are horrified by Israel's actions.
It shouldn't be an outlawed phrase (if that is what you are saying?). Other places can be Free, just not Gaza?? Even though it's illegally occupied which the UK has a duty to recognise under international law. And Israel actually.

It's not an outlawed phrase. That's just wishful thinking from someone who would live to see the Israeli government whitewashed and their actions forgotten. Which won't happen.

So you agree with the genocide that is happening to the people of Gaza?

Good god I hope not !!!!!

And I'm getting something totally different so you had better think a lot harder.

Thank you. I assumed that poster knew what they were writing about.

No, they are trying to use any weapon to shut down opposition to genocide. It started with trying to claim we are antisemitic, and when that didn't work, to say we are terrorists.

Wishful thinking?
Its quite literally in the body of the article which you keep insisting that I read and comprehend.

“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.

No need.

I'd be asking Netanyahu and his government that question if I was you. They don't seem to be thinking about the hostages much. The hostages families must be angry and despairing in equal measure.

And yet the Met police said:

“Nobody will be committing an offence by simply supporting the Palestinian cause, taking part in the march or carrying flags, banners or other signs providing they don’t stray into hate speech or other offences

So - and here's a thought - maybe Kent police got it wrong.

So what do you think "Expressing support for a proscribed organisation looks like"

That is what the arresting officer said. It is NOT what the revised law says. So yeah, wishful thinking.

The police make mistakes. Everyone does.

Collective punishment is illegal under international law. Israel cannot starve 2 million people as revenge. I don’t get what people don’t understand about how illegal their actions are.

Ah I think they understand, it’s just that some lives are more important than others !

Parroting their slogans works for me.

He wasn’t arrested.

Sadly for you, the law does not see it that way because the law understands that the phrase 'Free Gaza' does not belong to one single (proscribed) organisation, and that to arrest someone just for saying that would be a major breach of the right to freedom of speech.

What a terrible shame. You can't silence the world and you can't stop them from seeing what's happening.

She was threatened with arrest, and should not have been because the police officer was not applying the law correctly.

What works for you is not the law though, is it...

Soz ArtfulGoldWriter. Quoted the wrong person. Appologies.