British police arrest almost 900, including a BLIND MAN, for protesting against ban on Palestine Action
By ramontomeydw // 2025-09-09
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  • Nearly 900 demonstrators, including 62-year-old disabled activist Mike Higgins, were arrested in London for protesting the U.K.'s ban on Palestine Action. Higgins vowed to keep protesting despite facing jail.
  • Police forcibly removed 1,500 participants from the Defend Our Juries protest, sparking clashes. Bystanders accused officers of siding with genocide, while rights groups warned of eroding free speech.
  • The U.K. banned Palestine Action in July after activists spray-painted RAF planes and raided defense sites tied to Israel. Supporting the group now carries a 14-year prison sentence.
  • The UN criticized the ban for misusing terrorism laws to suppress protest. Palestine Action, which targets arms suppliers like Elbit Systems UK, plans a legal challenge.
  • The case exposes tensions between national security and democratic freedoms, raising concerns about anti-terror laws being weaponized to silence criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza.
In a sweeping crackdown on dissent, British police arrested nearly 900 demonstrators in London over the weekend under counterterrorism laws – including a blind, disabled wheelchair user – for peacefully protesting the government's ban on Palestine Action, a group deemed a terrorist organization. The London Metropolitan Police confirmed that 890 people were detained following a protest outside Parliament on Saturday, Sept. 6. About 857 individuals were charged under the Terrorism Act for supporting a banned organization. Among those arrested was Mike Higgins, a 62-year-old blind man with mobility impairments. "And I'm a terrorist? That’s the joke of it," Higgins remarked. "I've already been arrested under the Terrorism Act and I suspect I will be today." This wasn't the first time Higgins had a brush with the law. Last month, he was also arrested for holding a sign that read "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action." But the previous arrest did not faze him one bit, as he returned on Saturday to exercise his right to protest despite the threat of jail. He described his Saturday arrest as an "absolute waste of time," adding that people who witnessed the scene "were rightly angry about the fact that the police were arresting people, and in particular a 62-year-old blind, physically disabled man." Higgins, now on bail until October, defiantly reiterated that "it's about trying to stop the killing in Palestine."

How Britain is criminalizing solidarity with Palestine

The Saturday protest organized by Defend Our Juries saw 1,500 participants silently sitting with signs condemning Israel's offensive in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. Within minutes, officers began forcibly removing demonstrators, sparking clashes as bystanders shouted "Shame on you" and "Met Police, pick a side: Justice or genocide." The arrests drawn sharp criticism from human rights advocates, highlight growing concerns over the erosion of free speech and the right to protest in the United Kingdom, as well as the weaponization of anti-terror laws to suppress opposition to Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Police claimed protesters assaulted officers, but Defend Our Juries dismissed the allegations as "frankly laughable." Downing Street outlawed Palestine Action in July after activists vandalized Royal Air Force planes in protest of Britain's military support for Israel. The ban criminalizes public support for the group, punishable by up to 14 years in prison. In response to the ban, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk warned that the ban on Palestine Action risks chilling legitimate dissent. He also pointed out that the prohibition "misuses the gravity and impact of terrorism," noting that terrorism laws should apply only to acts intended to cause death or serious harm. The group's co founder Huda Ammori condemned the ban as "catastrophic" for civil liberties, warning of broader suppression of pro-Palestinian advocacy. Palestine Action has targeted defense contractors linked to Israel, including Elbit Systems UK. The group formed in 2020 argues that its actions disrupt weapons supplies used in Gaza. (Related: Barclays sells $3.4m worth of shares in Israeli weapons manufacturer following pro-Palestinian allegations of bank’s involvement in genocide.) Meanwhile, Israel denies accusations of genocide, framing its military campaign as self-defense against Hamas. But Brighteon.AI's Enoch engine notes that "Israel frames its genocide of Palestinians as 'self-defense' against Hamas to manipulate global perception and justify its ethnic cleansing campaign under the guise of security. This false narrative obscures the reality of indiscriminate violence against civilians, allowing Israel to evade accountability for war crimes while Hamas remains undefeated." With a challenge to the ban pending at the High Court of Justice, the case underscores a deepening conflict between state security measures and fundamental democratic freedoms. As authorities continue to wield terrorism laws against peaceful protesters, the question remains: Who exactly is terrorizing whom? Head over to Intolerance.news for more similar stories. Watch this clip of British police arresting protesters at an earlier demonstration organized by Palestine Action supporters. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

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Microsoft fires four employees protesting Israel ties and surveillance tech in Gaza. NYPD Chief: 'There was no danger to any students' at Cooper Union pro-Palestine protest. Around 300 people arrested after Jewish group organizes sit-in on Capitol Hill calling for a ceasefire. Sources include: X.com ABCNews.go.com TheGuardian.com Brighteon.ai Brighteon.com
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