Adnkronos London, June 23 (Adnkronos) – Palestine Action activists clashed with police during a demonstration in London. Following the clashes, the British government intends to declare the group a "terrorist organization". The protest was held in Trafalgar Square, with movement leaders calling for an "emergency mobilization" in response to the government's plans.
The demonstration was originally due to take place in front of Parliament, but protesters were forced to converge on Trafalgar Square after the Metropolitan Police drew up an exclusion zone.
Protesters, some wearing black face masks, shouted at police and there were scuffles, with officers forced to disperse the more riotous activists. Police broke into the crowd to stop masked protesters and made several arrests. Palestine Action’s protest came just days after two of its members stormed RAF Brize Norton and damaged two military aircraft in an action condemned by MPs and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The incident, a serious breach of security at the RAF’s largest base, is being investigated by counter-terrorism police.
Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner Mark Rowley said he was "shocked" by the protest and described Palestine Action as an "organised criminal extremist group". The demonstration began at midday and quickly descended into chaos, with police rushing to take control. As the protest was underway, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced she had decided to declare Palestine Action a "terrorist group" and would introduce a bill to Parliament next week to make membership and support for the group illegal.