Palestine Action's legal challenge against UK government ban begins

"Today marks the beginning of our legal challenge to one of the most extreme attacks on civil liberties in recent British history a measure condemned across the political spectrum as an affront to our democracy and an unjustifiable drain on counterterror resources that should be focused on actual threats to the public, Ammori said at the beginning of the hearing."

"Since the proscription which makes being a member of Palestine Action or inviting support for it a serious criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison came into effect, at least 2,300 people have been arrested, according to protest organisers Defend Our Juries. Those arrested include students, teachers, pensioners and even an 83-year-old retired vicar, with many carried away from the protests by police."

"Legal action by Huda Ammori, the cofounder of Palestine Action, has begun in London's High Court against the decision by the United Kingdom government to designate the activist group as a terrorist organisation. The interior ministry, or Home Office, proscribed the pro-Palestinian group in July, days after activists protesting against Israel's genocidal war on Gaza broke into an air force base in southern England. Prosecutors have said they caused an estimated 7 million pounds ($9.3m) damage to two aircraft at the base."

Huda Ammori has launched legal proceedings in London's High Court to challenge the UK government's designation of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. The Home Office proscribed the group in July after activists breached a southern England air force base; prosecutors allege about £7 million damage to two aircraft. The proscription criminalises membership or support and carries up to 14 years in prison. Protest organisers report at least 2,300 arrests, including students, teachers, pensioners and an 83-year-old vicar; the Metropolitan Police report 254 people charged with a lesser offence. The group is now listed under the Terrorism Act 2000 alongside armed organisations.

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