More than 70 individuals were detained during nationwide protests in the UK on Saturday, as demonstrators rallied against the government's controversial decision to designate Palestine Action as a terrorist organization. The move followed a reported break-in and vandalism at a Royal Air Force base linked to the group.
Authorities stated the arrests were made to 'maintain public order' amid clashes between protesters and police in cities including London, Manchester, and Glasgow. Home Secretary James Cleverly defended the ban, calling Palestine Action's activities 'a threat to national security.'
Protest organizers condemned the terrorism designation as an 'attack on peaceful dissent,' with one participant telling KhabarAsia: 'This criminalizes solidarity with Palestinian rights.' Legal experts note the classification allows broader surveillance and asset-freezing powers against affiliated groups.
The developments come amid heightened global scrutiny of protest rights and counterterrorism measures. Asian diaspora communities in the UK have shown particular interest in the case, given ongoing debates about balancing security concerns with civil liberties across democratic nations.
