This piece was recently published in the Palestine International Broadcast. Based in Ramallah, Palestine, the Palestine International Broadcast is “the first public, multi programmed international broadcast of its kind. Its mission is to project the authentic Palestinian narrative and achieve a balanced view globally by way of integration through media.” It’s an honour and a privilege to have work published by this brave and brilliant team. Please follow and support their work.

My article details the absurd consequences of proscribing the non-violent direct action group, Palestine Action, as terrorists, including arrests made under the Terrorism Act (2000) for wearing a t-shirt saying: Genocide in PALESTINE. Time to take ACTION.

After the piece was submitted for publication, further arrests occurred on top of those detailed in the article. On Monday 21st July, 2 arrests were made outside Edinburgh Sheriff Court where people had gathered in solidarity for the anticipated appearance of the 3 Leonardo activists referred to in the piece. One of those arrested was Mick Napier, founder of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign. The arrests were made under the Terrorism Act and in relation to the previous Saturday’s protest. While one arrestee was charged and released, Napier was held in police custody for 30 hours, but managed to successfully overturn his bail ban on entering Edinburgh city centre when his case reached court. A person involved in the Defend Our Juries protest was also arrested.

When the case against the 3 activists involved in the Leonardo action came to court, on the 21st and 22nd July, all 3 were charged with Aggravated Malicious Mischief, the ‘aggravated’ making this a terrorist offence, and they were released on bail. ‘Terrorists’? Released on bail?

Meanwhile the 2 activists arrested outside Edinburgh Sheriff Court have been receiving twice daily visits at their home from Police Scotland, each time ‘to check they understand their bail conditions.’ To call this intimidation and harassment is an understatement, as is describing the situation in Britain as an authoritarian police state.

“If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face – forever.” ~ George Orwell 1984

They’re Calling Me a Terrorist https://pib.news/article/theyre-calling-me-a-terrorist?lang=en&fbclid=IwY2xjawL4JnlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFWSmhqS3NiYWFKdWpCTGN2AR63tR2gRgPEVhdO7zSDAjB59oMlutcmDjrhA5gyJ_NYv9u9b52i6INSymgmxw_aem_w27lnQe3ZKE-MA9X94D35A