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.”

Even if these protesters are just ignorant people who don’t know anything I fail to see why that’s a reason to arrest them.

This is Section 12 of the terrorist act

A person commits an offence if the person—

(a)expresses an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organisation, and

(b)in doing so is reckless as to whether a person to whom the expression is directed will be encouraged to support a proscribed organisation

www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/11/section/12

That's interesting - so they if they express an opinion that is supportive of an organisation, then it's only an offence if the person to whom it is directed will also be encouraged to support that organisation

I think members of the public need to carry that piece of leglisation with them.

But then there is the "Breach of the peace" arrest because someone might want to attack them so they are preventing a breach of the peace.

Yeah and anyone who thinks Ireland should not be United is pro the terrorist UFF/UDA etc.
How far do we go in associating believing in an ideal/concept with saying that then that person supports X organization. It is serious black and white thining

Seems the best thing is not to have an opinion on Northern Ireland.

It would be so tempting to have that discussion with the police.

But I am sure they would then think you are breaching the peace.

As a local resident that is having to live in an area that has increasing amounts of anti social behaviour, with very real consequences - local wildlife being killed on a regular basis, disabled and elderly people being victimised and terrorised in and around their own homes, as just two examples - that is leading to the imminent threat of vigilante action, I would absolutely love to see Kent Police being pro active, about any of it, in any way. At all. Alas, of course we don’t see that. Instead Kent Police (armed, apparently) are busy warning Laura Murton, peacefully protesting by the roadside, that she ‘may be’ breaking the law and therefore ‘may be’ supporting a terrorist organisation. They also acknowledge, when she says she isn’t, that just because of what she is saying and doing, she ‘might support a proscribed terrorist organisation. The very definition of the Thought Police. When she challenges this they claim, ah ok, well yes, but you might be distracting the traffic. Ok, which is it then? ‘Potentially’ committing a public order offence isn’t an acceptable accusation from the uniformed police.
Sorry, KP, not good enough. Either she is supporting a proscribed terrorist group - in which case fucking arrest her and keep the good people of Kent safe. Or, she isn’t, in which case what exactly do you think you’re doing, you muppets?
Laura sounded, calm, reasonable, educated and informed. The police involved did not, they sounded fucking desperate and like they don’t have a fucking clue about what the actual law is or how to uphold it. As a resident I don’t feel safe under their care.
And my opinion on this particular episode has nothing to do with my opinion on the current conflict. Rather, if you think it’s ok for this to happen and to be shut down, then don’t be surprised when you’re part of the next perfectly reasonable group expressing opinions that are also suddenly outlawed. And don’t be so naive to think it won’t happen to you.

You are not going round in circles. You have made the point that you think someone saying 'Free Gaza' should be arrested.

Ridiculous.

I agree with you OP, this country is becoming more draconian with limiting free speech.

It won't happen to me because I'm not stupid enough to put on a keffiyeh and hold a sign like a gormless fuckwit. Even more fuckwittery to align yourself to a cause that's been put on the terrorism list. Jeez, I need to hide this thread now.

You're conflating those protesting with the group Palestine Action.

It's perfectly possible to oppose the genocide in Gaza and support a free Palestine without being a member or supporter of Palestine Action. And the vast majority of those attending the protest marches have behaved entirely legally.

It will be interesting to see if the march tomorrow is policed differently from the previous ones.

I hope it is. Goodnight.

But it’s not happening re Northern Ireland is it?

and here is the nub of the problem with the left in the west on this issue - it’s all through the lens of the west - the ultimate in ideological colonialism

(but also yeah the numpty police over stepped in this case)

You do that. You clearly don’t have anything sensible to add.

Some people just refuse to see Israel's war crimes.

The Met Police

https://news.met.police.uk/news/met-reiterates-warning-on-support-for-proscribed-organisations-ahead-of-saturday-protests-499476

“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.

“However, those who see this as an opportunity to test the limits of the law by expressing support for Palestine Action, whether at a standalone protest or as part of the Palestine Coalition protest, will likely be committing an offence and will very likely be arrested.

This isn't flouncers corner. You do not need to announce your departure.

I agree OP

If it did most of tiktok need to be arrested

Again interested to know what you think about people chanting frmthw river to the sea?

The cause hasn't been put on the terrorism list
A group has

I think I see your misunderstanding here

Is that an offence under the terrorism act? I can't see it mentioning any organisation in there?

A person commits an offence if the person—

(a)expresses an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organisation, and

(b)in doing so is reckless as to whether a person to whom the expression is directed will be encouraged to support a proscribed organisation.]

Is it illegal to chant it?

I doubt if we'll know if the police are overstepping the law until it goes to court.

This ^^

When international law is being breached without sanction, when criticism of this is being suppressed, when the institutions carefully set up post world wars to prevent future atrocities such as icc , icj and the UN are being undermined, we all have skin in the game.
when hideous bombs are being used for the first time on a defenceless civilian population we all have skin in the game, dystopian precedents are being set by Israel and the silencing of criticism of this is also settting disturbing new precedents

Free Palestine 🇵🇸

If the police keep this up how many hundreds of thousands will they have to arrest? It is beyond ridiculous.

Some people would rather we just shut up and put up.