Last night five Defend Our Juries spokespeople had their homes raided and were arrested under section 12 of the Terrorism Act

‘[That these people] run the risk of being imprisoned for up to 14 years is a terrifying example of the UK authorities’ willingness to use authoritarian practices’ – Kerry Moscogiuri

Responding to the announcement that five lead Defend Our Juries (DOJ) spokespeople had their houses raided and were arrested in dawn raids, Kerry Moscogiuri, Director of Campaigns and Communications at Amnesty International UK, said:

“The news that five of Defend Our Juries' lead organisers have had their homes raided and been arrested under section 12 of the Terrorism Act is incredibly concerning.

“The mass peaceful demonstrations they have organised over recent weeks are protected by international human rights law - and to think they run the risk of being imprisoned for up to 14 years is a terrifying example of the UK authorities' willingness to use authoritarian practices to silence dissent.

“Criminalising speech or protest is only permitted when it incites violence, hatred or discrimination. To be clear: expressing support for Palestine Action does not meet this threshold. In fact, arresting and prosecuting people in this context, is a violation of the UK’s obligations under human rights law. 

“Amnesty calls for the immediate and unconditional release of these people and yet again implores the Government to redirect its energy from criminalising peaceful demonstrators to focusing on taking immediate and unequivocal action to put a stop to Israel’s genocide and ending any risk of UK complicity in it.”

A blatant attempt to muzzle freedom of speech

Last night five members of DOJ had their homes raided and were arrested under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act.

The arrests were made just hours before a planned press conference announcing that the mass action against the "terror" ban on Palestine Action will proceed in Parliament Square on Saturday 6 September from 1pm as 1,000 people have pledged to hold signs saying "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action".

The press conference has been postponed until 2pm tomorrow (Wednesday 3 September), however DOJ has confirmed that the mass action will go ahead on Saturday despite the targeted arrest of key spokespeople.

DOJ organises entirely peaceful protests, where many of those taking part  - mainly older people - sit and hold signs stating their support for proscribed direct action group Palestine Action.

This latest news comes after the Met announced charges under the Terrorism Act against 47 more people, over half of whom (28) are over the age of 60, including an 81-year-old grandmother and retired teacher.

Last week, Amnesty launched a global “Urgent Action” following the arrest of over 700 people and charges brought against 70 people for peacefully protesting in support of Palestine

Amnesty launches “urgent actions” where it deems that there is an “urgent need for intervention” to stop human rights violations or abuses against an individual or group.  

The majority of these arrests have followed protests organised by DOJ, where people have held placards with the slogan, “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action”. 

The launch of this global campaign is unprecedented, with this being the first time the UK will be the subject of a global Amnesty International “urgent action” about the right to protest.