In Belfast, a woman was detained for displaying a t-shirt advocating for the now illegal group, Palestine Action, during a rally opposing an anti-immigration assembly. This event has elicited criticism from Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), who argue it reflects a backward tightening of governmental control.
This incident comes in the wake of newly passed legislation by the UK government banning membership in Palestine Action. This law introduces penalties of up to 14 years imprisonment. The Home Secretary argued that any form of violence and property destruction do not qualify as part of legitimate protests. The activities of Palestine Action, notably infiltrating an RAF base and defacing two airplanes with red paint, warranted this prohibition.
Palestine Action has been stepping up its activities against corporations in the UK with ties to Israel. The group alleges that the UK government is indirectly involved in war crimes and genocide in Gaza that Israel perpetrates.
The aforementioned apprehension was set against a controversial gathering, labeled as a ‘far-right racist’ protest, occurring outside a central city hotel in Belfast. The police also took another man into custody. The orchestrators of the anti-immigration protest reject claims of harboring racist intentions and argue they are merely expressing valid worries about immigration.
The protest initially started outside the Ten Square Hotel due to its association with the Chimney Corner Hotel, where issues regarding the accommodation of people were brought forth.
In response to the protest, a spokesman from the group People Before Profit, who had gathered at the counter-protest outside the hotel, voiced, ‘In response, the Belfast public has shown up in large numbers once more to indicate to the far-right, race-baiting provocateurs that their bigoted language has no home in our city.’
The intention of these right-wing instigators was to incite fear and loathing towards innocent asylum seekers, including children. Still, they found themselves outnumbered by an assembly of hundreds who staunchly reiterated that Belfast ought to be a haven of safety and acceptance to everyone. These prejudiced instigators bring nothing to the table for working communities apart from hatred and divisiveness.
When these racists attempt to rally, inciting violence, their actions need to be universally confronted and resisted. There was also discussion on the arrest of an individual for donning ‘Palestine Action’ t-shirts during the anti-racist counter-demonstration.
‘While most of the world acknowledges Israel’s ongoing starvation policy and daily executions, the ones being confronted in Belfast are those in support of Palestine. Despite far-right demonstrators displaying inflammatory and contentious signs, the police decided to arrest protesters for having the audacity to wear clothing pieces symbolizing solidarity with Palestine.’
In contrast, the British government decided to go down a road of regressive constriction with its decision to outlaw Palestine Action. A representative from Sinn Féin further criticized the government’s endeavor to criminalize the Palestinian solidarity movement.
He voiced his stance after witnessing the arrest of a woman protesting nonviolently against Israel’s acts. He stated, ‘The British governmental attempts to criminalize the Palestinian solidarity movement, coupled with the enforcement of this repressive regulation, have been absolutely reprehensible.’
‘Bringing attention to the ongoing crisis in Gaza is not illicit behavior. The actual crime is Israel’s ethnic cleansing and genocide policies.’ Thus, the government’s suppression of the Palestine solidarity movement is being increasingly called into question.
The post Belfast Woman Detained for Supporting Outlawed Palestine Action appeared first on Real News Now.
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