UK pensioner, student nabbed for supporting Palestine Action
Background
In July, the United Kingdom placed the Palestinian organization Palestine Action on its forbidden list under the Terrorism Act. The move followed an incident in which activists breached an air force base and damaged two aircraft.
Arrests
Three people—Grandmother Marji Mansfield (68), History Student Zahra Ali (18), and Obstetrician Alice Clark (49)—were detained during a protest on July 5 in London. More than 200 individuals were arrested nationwide. None of the three has been formally charged to date.
Who They Are
- Marji Mansfield: former banking consultant and devoted grandmother.
- Zahra Ali: 18‑year‑old history student.
- Alice Clark: 49‑year‑old obstetrician and former Doctors Without Borders volunteer.
Reactions
Interior Minister Yvette Cooper repeatedly referred to Palestine Action as “not a non‑violent group,” while the group’s co‑founder, Huda Ammori, is pursuing a court order to lift the ban. Scholars such as Tariq Ali and Naomi Klein have publicly opposed the prohibition, arguing it infringes on fundamental freedoms of expression, association, assembly, and protest.
Personal Perspectives
- Marji Mansfield admitted feeling “terrified” before the protest but pressed on, claiming the ban silenced ordinary voices.
- Alice Clark stressed her duty to civil liberties and warned that an imprisonment could jeopardise her medical licence.
- Zahra Ali highlighted the suffering in Gaza and criticized the government’s inaction.
Looking Ahead
A March demonstration is slated for Saturday in London, with organizers expecting at least 500 participants. Police anticipate that attendees could be arrested. A court hearing on the ban is scheduled for November.
These events underline the tension between national security measures and civil rights protections in the UK.
