The Metropolitan Police have warned that officers will act if criminal offences related to the support of proscribed groups are committed, after a ban on Palestine Action came into force on Saturday. The force said there are a number of events taking place in London this weekend and "anyone attending should be aware that officers policing these will act where criminal offences, including those related to support of proscribed groups or organisations, are committed".
Palestine Action lost a late-night Court of Appeal challenge on Friday, which sought to stop the protest group being banned. The legal defeat came less than two hours before the new legislation came into force at midnight.
Criminal penalties now active
The designation as a terror group means that membership of, or support for, Palestine Action is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. It comes as a group said it is set to gather in Parliament Square on Saturday holding signs supporting Palestine Action, according to campaign group Defend Our Juries.
Proscription makes it a criminal offence under the Terrorism Act 2000 (TACT) to invite or express support for an organisation through chanting, wearing clothing or displaying articles such as flags, signs or logos, the Met said. The Metropolitan Police outlined that it is now a criminal offence to belong, or profess to belong, to a proscribed organisation in the UK or overseas under Section 11 TACT.
Support and meeting restrictions
Additionally, inviting support for a proscribed organisation or expressing an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organisation are both criminal offences under Section 12(1A) TACT. Further restrictions make it illegal to arrange, manage or assist in arranging or managing a meeting in the knowledge that the meeting is to support or further the activities of a proscribed organisation.
It is also an offence if the meeting is to be addressed by a person who belongs or professes to belong to the organisation under Section 12(2) TACT. The legislation extends to public displays, making it criminal to wear clothing or carry or display articles in public in such a way as to arouse reasonable suspicion that the individual is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation under Section 13 TACT.
Publishing restrictions included
Publishing an image of an item of clothing or other article, such as a flag or logo, in the same circumstances is also prohibited under Section 13(1A) TACT. The comprehensive restrictions cover both physical displays and digital publications of supportive material.
(PA/London) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
