Protest is not terrorism

The decision of the Home Secretary to proscribe Palestine Action represents a major assault on our freedoms. Peaceful protest tactics which damage property or disrupt ‘business-as-usual’ in order to call attention to the crimes of the powerful have a long and proud history. They are more urgent than ever in response to Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people.

Meanwhile, the Labour government justifies massive rises in arms spending while slashing welfare. The only winners from this drive towards rearmament will be the same arms companies whose weapons have obliterated Gaza.We affirm our solidarity with Palestine Action in their campaign against proscription, and with the organisers of the national demonstrations for Palestine who are also being dragged before the courts. We all share their goal of ending the flow of weapons from Britain to Israel.

Whether we achieve that aim through civil disobedience, or strikes to halt weapons deliveries, mass protests outside arms factories or marches through city centres, boycotts, divestment campaigns and encampments, our movement will decide that for itself. In a democratic society, it should not be the role of the police to interfere in the peaceful exercise of our civil rights, and we will defend those in our movement who are under attack from the government.

We call for an urgent campaign by trade unions, the Palestine solidarity movement and everyone who wants to protect civil liberties, against the further criminalisation of protest. We will continue mobilising in solidarity with the Palestinian people in our workplaces, communities and streets.