UK Police Bail 13 After Cardiff Palestine Action Terrorism Protests

Thirteen individuals were arrested and subsequently released on bail in Cardiff after protesting in support of Palestine Action, a group recently proscribed as a terrorist organization by the UK government due to its involvement in criminal damage, including vandalism of military aircraft. The arrests, made under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000 for supporting a banned organization, were part of coordinated protests occurring simultaneously in multiple UK cities, including London, Manchester, and Leeds, where over 70 people were detained overall. Protesters held signs stating "I oppose genocide" and "I support Palestine Action," challenging the government's designation as an infringement on democratic rights to peaceful protest. South Wales Police and Counter Terrorism Policing Wales led the investigation, emphasizing that while lawful protest is supported, support for proscribed organizations is a criminal offense with penalties up to 14 years in prison. The Home Secretary justified the ban citing Palestine Action's history of damaging national security infrastructure, particularly after an incident involving paint damage to RAF aircraft at Brize Norton. The demonstrations aimed to test the legal boundaries of the proscription, with organizers having notified authorities in advance and framing the ban as an unjust conflation of protest with terrorism.