High Court Told: Palestine Action Ban Unjust and Should Be Lifted
A UK high court has been told that the ban on pro-Palestine group, Palestine Action, is "repugnant" and "unprecedented" interference with the right to protest. The ban was brought by the group's co-founder, Huda Ammori, who claims that it disproportionately restricts her organization's ability to engage in peaceful protests.
In a written statement, Ammori's lawyer argued that Palestine Action has an "honourable tradition" of direct action and civil disobedience, which is in line with British law. The ban, however, has been used as an excuse to silence those who protest against the Israeli government's actions in Gaza, including holding signs with messages such as "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action".
The lawyer claimed that only a few incidents of alleged terrorism were linked to the group, and these incidents were disputed. In fact, two reports by the National Police Coordination Centre found that Palestine Action was engaged in "non-violent direct action", which is not consistent with the actions of a terrorist organization.
The high court has been told that the ban on Palestine Action is an extreme measure that disproportionately interferes with the right to protest (articles 9, 10 and 11). The lawyer argued that the decision to proscribe the group was made without due consideration for its activities, which aimed to expose and prevent serious violations of international law by Israel.
The case has significant implications as over 2,000 people arrested for alleged support of Palestine Action may face criminal trial. Five people holding signs in solidarity with the group were taken away by officers outside the court on Wednesday.
A judge is expected to make a decision next week on whether to quash the proscription order, which would effectively lift the ban on Palestine Action. The lawyer has urged the court to recognize that the organization's actions are not terrorism and should be allowed to continue its peaceful protests without interference from authorities.
A UK high court has been told that the ban on pro-Palestine group, Palestine Action, is "repugnant" and "unprecedented" interference with the right to protest. The ban was brought by the group's co-founder, Huda Ammori, who claims that it disproportionately restricts her organization's ability to engage in peaceful protests.
In a written statement, Ammori's lawyer argued that Palestine Action has an "honourable tradition" of direct action and civil disobedience, which is in line with British law. The ban, however, has been used as an excuse to silence those who protest against the Israeli government's actions in Gaza, including holding signs with messages such as "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action".
The lawyer claimed that only a few incidents of alleged terrorism were linked to the group, and these incidents were disputed. In fact, two reports by the National Police Coordination Centre found that Palestine Action was engaged in "non-violent direct action", which is not consistent with the actions of a terrorist organization.
The high court has been told that the ban on Palestine Action is an extreme measure that disproportionately interferes with the right to protest (articles 9, 10 and 11). The lawyer argued that the decision to proscribe the group was made without due consideration for its activities, which aimed to expose and prevent serious violations of international law by Israel.
The case has significant implications as over 2,000 people arrested for alleged support of Palestine Action may face criminal trial. Five people holding signs in solidarity with the group were taken away by officers outside the court on Wednesday.
A judge is expected to make a decision next week on whether to quash the proscription order, which would effectively lift the ban on Palestine Action. The lawyer has urged the court to recognize that the organization's actions are not terrorism and should be allowed to continue its peaceful protests without interference from authorities.
it feels like a big overreach 4 the gov, lockin down freedom of speech & protest 
hope the high court makes the right call & lifts the ban, dont wanna see ppl gettin jailed 4 speakin out 
. This whole situation with Palestine Action is wild. They're saying the ban is unjust because it restricts their right to protest, but then they go and hold signs with 'genocide' messages outside the court? It's like they're not even trying to play nice 
. And let's be real, if only a few incidents of alleged terrorism are linked to them, that doesn't mean the whole group is a terrorist organization, right? It's just common sense 
. But hey, I guess it's great for their lawyer to get some attention and stir up drama 
. Fingers crossed that justice gets served and they can lift this ban next week 
like what's wrong with holding a sign that says "i oppose genocide"? doesn't everyone deserve to express themselves? and btw, 2k+ people arrested over this is just crazy 
the fact that they're trying to argue that it's not terrorism but more like non-violent direct action is literally mind-blowing 
anyway, fingers crossed for a fair decision next week 
it sounds super unfair and heavy-handed to me, especially when ppl r just tryin to speak out against the injustices happenin in Gaza 
they're not even talkin about terrorism here, just peacful protests with signs and all that...i think the high court should really take a closer look at this and lift the ban ASAP 
it's all about protectin people's rights to free speech and assembly, you know? 
. I mean, two reports by the National Police Coordination Centre have already found that Palestine Action is about non-violent direct action... what more proof do they need? It's just so unfair that a few alleged incidents of terrorism are being used to justify this ban on an entire group.