UK Police Arrest 66 for Supporting Banned Palestine Action at Labour Conference

Sixty-six people were arrested outside the Labour Party conference in Liverpool on suspicion of supporting Palestine Action, a group proscribed as a terrorist organization by the UK government in July after it claimed responsibility for damaging military planes at RAF Brize Norton. The protesters, numbering around 100, held signs reading "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action" and were peacefully demonstrating against what they described as genocide and called for the Labour Party to impose sanctions on Israel. Among those arrested were individuals aged between 21 and 83 years old; all have since been released on bail except two who were de-arrested. Human rights groups like Amnesty International criticized the use of broad terrorism legislation to suppress free speech and peaceful protest. Protesters, including former Labour councillor Keith Hackett, expressed shame over Labour's stance and emphasized the historical importance of direct action in labor movements. The arrests highlight ongoing tensions in the UK regarding anti-terrorism laws, protest rights, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.