ACTIVISTS in Truro were among dozens across the country to be arrested on Saturday [July 19] during peaceful protests against the decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terror group.

Eight demonstrators sat silently on the steps of Truro Cathedral, each holding a placard bearing the words “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” All eight were arrested on suspicion of offences under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

The government proscribed Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act of 2000 on July 5 following a break-in and damage caused at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. The move places it alongside groups like Islamic State and the far-right group National Action, and has made membership of or support for the group a criminal offence.

Police officers attended, and each protester was led or carried to a waiting van for processing, while supporters around them clapped, filmed and shouted words of support or condemnation of the police action.

The group were protesting under the banner wedonotcomply.org, an offshoot of the campaign group Defend Our Juries. wedonotcomply.org describes the proscription of Palestine Action as “the most draconian attack of everyone’s freedom of speech and right to dissent in this country”, adding: “We will not comply with unjust laws.”

Those in attendance in Truro included 81-year-old former magistrate Deborah Hinton OBE, from Gorran Haven, who has been involved in both the voluntary and the statutory sectors for 50 years including with Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum; and Oliver Baines OBE, from Grampound Road, former director of the Cornwall Community Foundation.

Mat Osmond from Constantine spoke on behalf of the group, saying demonstrators were not specifically resisting arrest but were “not complying with the request to desist”. “We are challenging the proscription of Palestine Action under terrorist legislation when it is an entirely non-violent weapons sabotage campaign,” he said. “We believe the use of terror legislation for political motives has no place in British law.”

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Officers attended the Truro Cathedral area today [July 19] to facilitate a peaceful protest in relation to ‘Defend our Juries.’ Around 30 protesters were involved in the demonstration.

“Officers engaged with those present to ensure everyone in attendance was kept safe, whilst facilitating the public’s right to peaceful protest.

“A number of placards which were contrary to the law remained on display despite police advice. Eight people, two men and six women, were arrested on suspicion of offences under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000. They remain in police custody.”

Demonstrations also took place in Edinburgh, Manchester, Bristol and central London.