Freedom of speech, right to protest under assault in UK

Two of the most recognizable faces of the Palestine solidarity movement in Britain, Ben Jamal of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and Chris Nineham of Stop the War Coalition, are facing trial on charges relating to a protest over a year ago.

Police had imposed restrictions on the January 18 march, blocking plans to lay flowers outside the BBC in memory of Gaza's children killed in the genocide.

Protesters say instructions were unclear with shifting limits on where they could gather in central London.

After alleged breaches, dozens were arrested, including Nineham, and charged with public order offences.

• ‘Protect the Right to Protest’ rally held outside London court
  

  ‘Protect the Right to Protest’ rally held outside London court

  Supporters of two pro-Palestine activists gather outside a London court as their case went to trial, reigniting debate over free speech and protest policing in the UK.

Supporters here are calling the case politically-motivated.

They are going to be put on trial here for... what; because they organized a demonstration in support of the people of Palestine.

But this fits into a wider agenda where the right to assembly, and the right to organize, and right of free speech, are very much under threat and under attack in this country.

Jeremy Corbyn, Independent MP

• Palestine Action vindicated by British High Court ruling
  

  Palestine Action vindicated by British High Court ruling

  The High Court in Britain has ruled the ban on Palestine Action is unlawful, disproportionate to free speech, and a breach of policy by former Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, imposed last July, which led to nearly 3,000 arrests under terrorism legislation.

Their cases are unfolding against a much wider backdrop.

Since October 2023, nearly weekly marches in London and other cities have drawn hundreds of thousands of people. At the same time, police have used expanded powers to place tighter limits.

The biggest concern here seems to be the increase in police powers, the constant erosion of the right to protest and to assembly, and what that means for the pro-Palestine movement and also for other campaigns for civil liberties and for human rights.

• London police under fire for banning pro-Palestine BBC march
  

  London police under fire for banning pro-Palestine march outside BBC

  The UK’s pro-Palestinian groups condemn London’s MET police for banning a Palestine march.

Some here believe it's a completely different kettle of fish when it comes to protesting for Palestinian rights in Britain.

It's got nothing to do with the right to protest in general, it has everything to do with the government not liking the optics of ordinary people in their thousands, hundreds of thousands and in their millions globally, coming out to say, “not in our name.”

Protestor 01

• Palestine Action activists not guilty of burglary from Elbit
  

  Palestine Action activists deemed not guilty of burglary from Elbit

  In August 2024, activists from the Palestine Action group stormed an Elbit Systems factory in the UK, disrupting operations for months. They were arrested under anti-terrorism laws and detained for over a year before facing trial at Woolwich Crown Court.

Despite the pressure from above, campaigners say all is not lost.

The recent weeks have seen the ban on direct action group, Palestine Action, lifted, almost all of its jailed activists released, and the thousands of their supporters arrested, some charged for holding anti-genocide placards, will no longer be risking prison time.

Mass action, mass resistance, is making a real difference and pushing these things back.

But you have to know that you have to do that.

You have to be back on the streets.

If we don't protest against these things, then the law will change.

Kevin Courtney, ‘Stand Up To Racism’, Activist

With the future of the right to protest at risk, a promise has been made that the fight to protect it will not relent.

• UK bans Palestine Action under terrorism law
  

  UK bans Palestine Action under terrorism law

  The British government has designated Palestine Action as a terrorist organization. Palestine Action views the ban as a threat to political expression and civil liberties.

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