Contrasting Police Responses to Pro-Palestine Protests
Protests in support of the proscribed organisation Palestine Action concluded in Northern Ireland on Saturday without any police intervention, creating a stark contrast with the Metropolitan Police in London where dozens of activists were arrested. The events, organised by the group Defend Our Juries, saw activists in Belfast and Londonderry display placards stating "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action" without facing detention.
Peaceful Gatherings in Belfast and Derry
In Belfast, a crowd of approximately 60-80 activists and supporters gathered at 1pm on a pedestrianised area near the city's main court buildings. Between 15 and 20 of them held the controversial placards. A low-key presence of four Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers was observed, who monitored the hour-long demonstration from a distance but did not intervene. The crowd dispersed peacefully shortly after 2pm.
Similar scenes unfolded later in the afternoon outside the Guildhall in Derry, where the protest also concluded without any arrests being made.
Activists and Observers React
Activist Rosemary Jenkinson, who addressed the crowd in Belfast, highlighted the arbitrary nature of the arrests in London compared to the situation in Northern Ireland. "This country (Northern Ireland) isn't doing it because they realise it's utterly ridiculous," she stated, referring to the lack of police action.
Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International's programme director in Northern Ireland, who attended the Belfast protest in an observational capacity, described the legal proscription of Palestine Action as "absurd". He noted the marked contrast between the PSNI's low-key approach and the mass arrests elsewhere, particularly in London where the Metropolitan Police reported detaining at least 90 people.
Veteran civil rights campaigner Eamonn McCann, who attended the Derry protest, drew parallels with historical struggles, stating, "We veterans are horrified that we have to come out again to demonstrate for civil rights."
The protests occurred ahead of a significant legal challenge scheduled for the following week, contesting the Government's move to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. The PSNI was approached for comment following the events.
