Prosecutors are facing demands to drop terror charges against more than 700 Palestine Action supporters following a shock legal ruling.
In London, there have been more than 2,000 arrests with 254 demonstrators being prosecuted.
The Metropolitan Police said it will stop detaining peaceful protesters hold up signs declaring support for Palestine Action but understands “there is no impact on ongoing cases”.
The Crown Prosecution Service added it is a matter for magistrates and crown courts whether they are dropped or adjourned in the interim.
But at the Old Bailey on Friday, a senior judge has put off the plea hearing of four alleged pro-Palestine protesters Iain Evans, 32, Hisham Alkhamesi, 23, Bea Sherman, 23, and Hana Yun Stevens, 23.
They are accused of causing more than £1 million of damage after smashing into defence manufacturer Moog Inc’s factory in Pendeford, Staffordshire last August.
A spokesman for Defend Our Juries said more than 2,700 people have been arrested for holding up signs supporting Palestine Action.
It said: “We call on the Home Secretary and Metropolitan Police Commissioner today to meet with us to right the wrongs of the ban, including the wrongful treatment of all those who have been unlawfully arrested and charged under the proscription.
“And now the ban has been struck down there is no longer any reason for Palestine Action-linked prisoners, including those who went on hunger strike, to be held in prison without trial on unsubstantiated ‘terror’ charges. They should be released immediately.”
Protesters celebrate the ruling (Jonathan Brady/PA)
PA Wire
Tom Southerden, of Amnesty International UK, added: “Today’s ruling is a vital affirmation of the right to protest at a time when it has been under sustained and deliberate attack.
“The implications are profound. Thousands of peaceful protesters – including those involved in the Defend Our Juries campaign – have been arrested for something that should never have been a crime.”
The Met said it will continue to gather evidence of overt support for Palestine Action, because the proscription order remains in place until a Government appeal has been heard.
Last autumn, weekly silent protests were held in UK towns and cities, with some attracting hundreds of people holding signs, wearing T-shirts and badges.
Analysis of court data shows that at least 87 hours of court sitting time has been taken up at Westminster Magistrates’ Court since October with preliminary hearings for Palestine Action supporters.
A courtroom usually dedicated to handling serious crime extradition requests has been used for the hearings, with cases being overseen by senior judges in the magistrates’ court and occasionally the Chief Magistrate himself.
Crowds in support of Palestine Action in Trafalgar Square (Maja Smiejkowska/PA)
PA Wire
The High Court ruling has placed significant doubt over the future of the live criminal cases already in the system.
Thirty-two activists are due to make their first appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday next week, having been charged with a terror-related offence for holding placards supporting Palestine Action at a demonstration last August.
In a statement, Scotland Yard said: “The High Court has found that the decision to proscribe Palestine Action was unlawful,”
“However, the group remains proscribed pending the outcome of any Government appeal, which means expressing support is still a criminal offence.
“We recognise these are unusual circumstances and there will likely be some confusion among the public as to what happens next.
“From a Metropolitan Police perspective, officers will continue to identify offences where support for Palestine Action is being expressed, but they will focus on gathering evidence of those offences and the people involved to provide opportunities for enforcement at a later date, rather than making arrests at the time.
“This is the most proportionate approach we can take, acknowledging the decision reached by the court while recognising that proceedings are not yet fully concluded.
“This approach relates solely to the expression of support for Palestine Action.
“We will continue to intervene and make arrests where we see people crossing the line from lawful protest to intimidate, to damage property, to use violence, to stir up racial hatred or to commit other offences.
“We are mindful that this decision comes at a time when the impact of a prolonged period of significant protest continues to be felt by communities across London, in particular Jewish communities.
“We will continue to take an assertive and determined approach to dealing with antisemitism and other hate crime, acting decisively against anyone who tries to use the cover of protest to cause fear and distress to Londoners.”
The Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “It is appalling that a court would be prepared to decriminalise an organisation whose sole purpose is to engage in criminal activity.
“It demonstrates that law and order has not only broken down in this country, but that the criminal justice system is not fit for purpose.
“For the Jewish community, which has borne the brunt of much of Palestine Action’s criminality, this is another sign that the legal system is simply not on their side and has neither the ability nor, it increasingly seems, the willingness, to protect them.”
The Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council said they were “deeply concerned”, adding: “Palestine Action has repeatedly targeted buildings hosting Jewish communal institutions, Jewish-owned businesses, or sites associated with Israel, in ways that cause fear and disruption far beyond the immediate protest sites.
“We will seek urgent clarity from the Government, police forces and the CPS regarding the implications of this ruling and the steps they intend to take to ensure that communities are protected from intimidation and criminality.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “The Court has acknowledged that Palestine Action has carried out acts of terrorism, celebrated those who have taken part in those acts and promoted the use of violence.
“It has also concluded that Palestine Action is not an ordinary protest or civil disobedience group, and that its actions are not consistent with democratic values and the rule of law.
“For those reasons, I am disappointed by the Court’s decision and disagree with the notion that banning this terrorist organisation is disproportionate. I intend to fight this judgment in the Court of Appeal.”
