Free speech row as man arrested after holding sign that had words 'Palestine' and 'action' written on it outside Kneecap court hearing
A free speech row has erupted after a man holding a provocative pro-Palestine sign was arrested outside Westminster Magistrates Court during a demonstration in support of Irish rap trio Kneecap.
The Metropolitan Police were on Wednesday accused of 'over-zealous policing' after a protester holding a sign containing the words 'Palestine' and 'action' was detained by officers.
It is the latest free speech challenge the police have faced following the proscription of campaign group Palestine Action.
Toby Young, co-founder of the Free Speech Union, remarked: 'This isn't quite as bad as the police arresting someone for holding up a sign saying "Plasticine Action", but it's excessive nonetheless.
'The over-zealous policing of pro-Palestinian protestors risks turning anti-terrorism legislation into a joke.'
The homemade sign at the centre of this latest controversy stated: 'If you're looking at Palestine and think there should be no action, you're on the wrong side of the genocide.'
The words 'Palestine' and 'action' were coloured in black, green and red (the colours of the Palestinian flag) compared with the blue and orange colouring of the rest of the letters - meaning the words clearly stood out.
Direct-action protest group Palestine Action was banned by the UK Government on July 5 after supporters of the organisation damaged two Voyager aircrafts at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
The homemade sign at the centre of this latest controversy stated: 'If you're looking at Palestine and think there should be no action, you're on the wrong side of the genocide'
Direct-action protest group Palestine Action was banned by the UK Government on July 5 after supporters of the organisation damaged two Voyager aircrafts at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire (Pictured: Man being arrested on Wednesday)
Police detain a protester wearing a T-shirt in support of Kneecap group, outside the Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday
Its proscription has prompted widespread protest and the arrests of hundreds of demonstrators who have routinely sat in Parliament Square holding signs which state: 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.'
There has also been increasing confusion from police regarding the exact threshold for a criminal offence.
Earlier this week, Miles Pickering was arrested and then de-arrested for wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the words 'plasticine action'.
Last night, the Metropolitan confirmed they had arrested a man 'on suspicion of supporting a proscribed terrorist group, Palestine Action, in Marylebone Road'.
Responding to the controversial arrest on Instagram, Palestine Lobby, a pro-Palestine advocacy group dedicated to campaigning for Palestinian rights, wrote: 'This is an unacceptable misuse of power.'
The demonstration this morning was in response to the trial of Liam Og O hAnnaidh - a musician for the band Kneecap.
Mo Chara of Kneecap leaving Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday
Crowds of protesters gather outside Westminster Magistrates Court in support
The masses held signs in support of the rapper
Mo Chara, whose real name is Liam Og O hAnnaidh, is facing a terrorism charge after allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London
Mr O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a flag in support of the terrorist group Hezbollah at a gig in November last year 'in such a way or in such a circumstance as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation'.
A decision over whether he will stand trial for this alleged offence was postponed until late September.
