Palestine Action

Palestine activist scales Big Ben over imprisonment of protesters

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A man holds a Palestinian flag after he climbed up Elizabeth Tower, which houses Big Ben at the Palace of Westminster in London, March 8, 2025

A PALESTINE protester scaled the tower containing Big Ben and remained atop the historic landmark for 16 hours at the weekend before he was brought down by authorities.

The solo demonstrator climbed Parliament’s Elizabeth Tower barefoot on Saturday morning and then unfurled a Palestine flag.

He was eventually brought to the ground in a cherry-picker at around 1am yesterday.

In videos shared on social media the day before, the man was seen climbing over a fence surrounding the Houses of Parliament without any security guards intervening.

Crowds of supporters gathered nearby behind police cordons, giving shouts of “free Palestine.”

The protester shared clips from the action on social media, stating in one video: “While they’ve got our political prisoners locked up, I’m staying up here,” as he spoke to negotiators who had ascended on an aerial platform.

“I will come down on my own terms.”

He chanted in another: “Stop the weaponisation of terrorism legislation against Palestine Action activists. Free the Filton 18.”

The 18 activists were arrested after protesting against Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems.

They are accused of having a “terrorism connection” and are currently jailed on remand.
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Wave of arrests for Palestine solidarity actions sparks ‘state repression’ fears

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Palestine Action activists occupying the site of Elbit Ferranti in Oldham, Greater Manchester in 2021

COUNTER-TERRORISM police have arrested 10 more Palestine Action activists in connection to a protest at a “research hub” belonging to Israel’s largest weapons firm Elbit Systems.

Another 10 had already been detained when the action took place on August 6.

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Despite being arrested under the Terrorism Act, which allows police to detain suspects up to 14 days without charge, the activists were all charged with non-terror offences, such as criminal damage and aggravated burglary.

Police confirmed that 10 more were arrested under the Terrorism Act on Tuesday in connection with the incident.

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A spokesperson for the group accused the British state of “acting to protect the interests of a foreign genocidal regime, over the rights and freedoms of its own citizens.”

They added that the real terrorists were “those assisting and arming Israel’s genocide.”

It comes a month after counterterrorism police raided the home of Asa Winstanley, a journalist covering the occupation of Palestine.

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Cage International head of campaigns Naila Ahmed said: “The British government continues to build an infrastructure of authoritarian laws.

“This is beyond a question of complicity; the UK police are now acting as an extension of a genocidal entity, abusing and exploiting any and every power at their disposal to intimidate and crush resistance to the mass killing of humans in Gaza.”

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Activists blockade two Israeli weapons sites in Bristol

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Protesters use a van to block the gates to Elbit at Filton near Bristol Photo: Neil Terry Photography

ACTIVISTS blockaded two Israeli weapons sites in Bristol as they vowed to redouble their efforts to shut down Elbit Systems today.

Palestine Action used lock-on devices inside vans to block the gates at the entrances of both sites, preventing anyone from coming in or out.

One of the sites, a facility at Filton, is the brand new £35 million research and development hub of Israel’s biggest weapons firm.

The other site is Elbit’s headquarters at Aztec West 600, which the activists said is used by Elbit to oversee their logistical, financial, and operational affairs throughout the country.

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Hundreds of activists demand release of political prisoners and removal of ‘extremism adviser’ Lord Walney

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People outside Southwark Crown Court, south London, in support of Anna Holland and Phoebe Plummer who are due to be sentenced at the court after being found guilty of criminal damage for throwing tinned soup over Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers at the National Gallery in 2022, September 27, 2024

HUNDREDS of activists held a silent protest outside Southwark Crown Court today to demand the release of political prisoners and the removal of paid lobbyist and “extremism adviser” Lord Walney.

Activists from groups including Just Stop Oil (JSO), Palestine Action and Extinction Rebellion transformed the road into a photographic exhibition of political prisoners around the world.

Campaigners are demanding that Attorney General Richard Hermer agrees to a public meeting to discuss ending the jailing of those taking peaceful action.

Inside the court, Judge Christopher Hehir, who handed five JSO activists prison sentences totalling 21 years in July, jailed another two activists from the group.

Phoebe Plummer received two years and Anna Holland 20 months for throwing soup over Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers at the National Gallery.

Twenty-month community orders were also handed to Chiara Sarti and Daniel Hall for slow marching along a west London road for 20 minutes.

Earlier this year, protesters’ rights were eroded when they were stripped of their ability to rely on beliefs and motivation as a defence.

There are currently 41 peaceful protesters locked up in the midst of the prisons crisis, with 20 held on remand and 21 sentenced for a year or more for non-violent protest actions.

Many trials have taken place amid lobbying by “independent adviser” Lord Walney, who has been calling for groups such as Palestine Action and Just Stop Oil to be banned.

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Jury refuses to convict four Palestine Action activists

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Palestine Action activists outsite Bradford Crown Court

A CROWN Court jury has refused to convict four Palestine Action activists accused of causing more than £500,000 of damage at a factory supplying weaponry to Israel.

The four faced charges of criminal damage to a Teledyne Defence and Space factory at Shipley in West Yorkshire.

The activists were reported to have used sledgehammers to smash the roof, windows and the interior of the factory.

In closing speeches, the activists reminded jurors of their rights to acquit according to their conscience.

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