More than 600 sign open letter warning of “dangerous” crackdown on protest rights
Over 600 public figures, including authors, actors, comedians, musicians and MPs, have signed a powerful open letter urging the government not to label Palestine Action a terrorist group.
The group, known for its bold direct actions targeting companies linked to Israeli arms manufacturing, could soon be proscribed under UK terror laws – a move that would criminalise membership, support or even public praise.
But campaigners say that’s a chilling attack on free expression.
📢 Big names speak out
The letter – organised by Fossil Free Books – features an all-star cast of supporters. Among them:
- Green Caroline Lucas
- Journalist George Monbiot
- Heartstopper author Alice Oseman
- Comedian Frankie Boyle
- Musician Brian Eno
- Former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis
- Writer Grace Blakeley
In total, 621 signatories had backed the letter by the time of publication.
🖊️ “Civil disobedience is not terrorism”
The statement warns the government’s plans would “set a dangerous precedent for protest and dissent in Britain.” It reads:
“Whether we as individuals support Palestine Action is irrelevant – we oppose their proscription on principle. Civil disobedience is not ‘terrorism’, as history shows us, from the suffragettes to Martin Luther King Jr.”
It also highlights the hypocrisy of Keir Starmer, who once defended similar actions in court:
“In 2004, Keir Starmer made this very argument when he represented an activist who sabotaged a military aircraft to prevent an illegal war.”
🚨 What’s happening?
The government is preparing to ban Palestine Action after some of its members broke into RAF Brize Norton and damaged military planes.
The group says it uses non-violent direct action to disrupt arms manufacturers linked to what it calls “Israel’s genocidal and apartheid regime.”
Legal watchdogs like Amnesty International, Liberty and Greenpeace have all voiced concerns that such a ban would undermine protest rights across the UK.
📣 “A threat to all protest”
The letter ends with a clear warning:
“This is not just about Palestine Action – this is about the future of dissent and freedom of speech in this country.”
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