Arrests after protest in support of Palestine Action, police say

More than 20 people have been arrested in London after a protest in support of the banned group Palestine Action, the Metropolitan Police has said.

Pictures from the demonstration showed a small group holding placards reading "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action" in Westminster.

As of Saturday, the group is proscribed under the Terrorism Act 2000, after lawyers acting on its behalf failed with a court bid to block the ban on Friday.

The designation means that being a member of, or showing support for Palestine Action, is a criminal offence and could lead to up to 14 years in prison.

In an earlier statement, the Met said: "Officers are responding to a protest in support of Palestine Action in Parliament Square.

"The group is now proscribed and expressing support for them is a criminal offence."

The government moved to ban the group after an estimated £7m of damage was caused to planes at RAF Brize Norton last month during a protest Palestine Action said it was behind.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans to proscribe the group last month, calling damage to two military aircraft "disgraceful" and claiming the group had a "long history of unacceptable criminal damage".

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