Three Arrested After Edinburgh Protest Against Palestine Action Ban

Three individuals are facing charges following a protest in Edinburgh against the UK Government’s ban on Palestine Action. Two men, aged 67 and 82, have been charged with offences under the Terrorism Act, while a third man, aged 63, has been charged with a hate crime offence. The demonstration took place outside Queen Elizabeth House, a government facility located near the Royal Mile, on March 23, 2024.

The protest, organized by the campaign group Defend Our Juries and the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, aimed to challenge the enforcement of UK Government terrorism legislation. Protesters displayed messages on paper, stating “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action,” while wearing t-shirts emblazoned with “Genocide in Palestine, time to take action.” This slogan has previously led to arrests of demonstrators in Scotland, including prominent screenwriter Paul Laverty.

Unlike a previous protest in London that resulted in nearly 900 arrests, Police Scotland opted to monitor the Edinburgh demonstration without making immediate arrests. Officers were present throughout the event and recorded videos of participants displaying the controversial signs. Following the protest’s conclusion, police detained the two men as they left the area, prompting criticism from the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

Police Response and Charges

Following the protest, Police Scotland confirmed that three individuals had been charged. A spokesperson stated that although the demonstration was largely peaceful, they gathered substantial evidence concerning offences related to the Terrorism Act. Specific details regarding the hate crime charge were not disclosed.

Chief Superintendent David Robertson emphasized that while the protests were conducted without major incidents, certain actions warranted police attention. He noted, “Substantial evidence of these offences was gathered, which will form the basis of a post-incident investigation.” He also reaffirmed Police Scotland’s commitment to protecting the rights of peaceful demonstrators while ensuring public safety.

The actions taken by the police have sparked backlash from activists. A statement from the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign characterized the police’s decision to arrest individuals after the demonstration as a “cowardly move.” They accused the police of “overreach of power” and highlighted a perceived contradiction between the police’s actions and statements made by the First Minister regarding the need to end violence in Palestine.

Context and Community Response

The protest occurred amid a broader context of public demonstrations in Edinburgh, including an anti-immigration rally and a pro-independence event. Activists voiced concerns about the government’s use of public funding to enforce laws they claim are misapplied against political dissent. The Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign criticized the government for using the criminal justice system to target activists opposing what they call the “extermination of the Palestinian people.”

As the public discourse around these events continues, the implications of the arrests and the government’s stance on Palestine Action remain hotly debated topics. Community members and activists are increasingly vocal about their opposition to what they perceive as an infringement on their rights to protest.

Defend Our Juries has been approached for comment regarding the recent events, and their response could further illuminate the ongoing tension between activism and law enforcement in Scotland.