News

Over 400 including Welsh protestors arrested at London ‘Lift The Ban’ protest

Published

11 months ago

August 9, 2025

Haverfordwest holds parallel rally on Gaza child starvation

WELSH protesters were among the 600–700 people who staged a silent protest in Parliament Square, London, on Saturday (Aug 9) as part of the “Lift The Ban” campaign, calling for the UK Government to remove its proscription of the direct action group Palestine Action under terrorism legislation.

Participants sat between 1:00pm and 2:00pm holding cardboard signs reading “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” Organisers said the action was intended to challenge the ban, which they argue criminalises peaceful protest against Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

The Metropolitan Police, who had warned in advance that sign-holders risked arrest under section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000, made over 400 arrests during the event. Officers from across the UK, including from Wales, were deployed to assist. Police had expected the turnout to be in the low hundreds, but numbers far exceeded that.

Haverfordwest protest draws local support

**Protestors in Haverfordwest were highlighting the plight of the children of Gaza (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)**

In Pembrokeshire, around 25 people gathered at 1:00pm at The Old Bridge in Haverfordwest in a demonstration organised by Solidarity with Palestine Pembrokeshire. Participants brought pots and pans to “make some noise” in what organisers described as a protest against the “deliberate starving of children” in Gaza.

Promotional material for the event featured an image of two-year-old Yazan Abu Foul, from Al-Shati Refugee Camp, to highlight the humanitarian crisis. Speakers at the rally repeated calls for an end to the blockade and for world leaders to intervene, describing the situation as “genocide.”

High-profile support in London

Those detained in the capital included former Guantanamo Bay detainee Moazzam Begg, NHS workers, Quakers, and a blind wheelchair user. Public figures present included musician Robert Del Naja of Massive Attack, human rights activist Bianca Jagger, environmentalist Jonathon Porritt, and poet Alice Oswald.

Organisers from Defend Our Juries said more mass protests were planned for September. They argue that the ban on Palestine Action breaches international human rights law, pointing to statements from Amnesty International and the UN’s human rights chief.

Government and police response

The Home Office has defended the proscription of Palestine Action, stating that the group’s tactics – which include damaging property at arms factories – meet the criteria for terrorism under UK law. A spokesperson said: “This Government will not tolerate criminal activity disguised as protest. We will continue to protect the public and uphold the law.”

The Metropolitan Police said: “We respect the right to protest, but people must do so within the law. Holding signs in support of a proscribed organisation is a criminal offence under the Terrorism Act, and our officers will take action where necessary.”

Ongoing legal challenge

The ban is due to face a High Court challenge in November, after Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori was granted permission for a full judicial review. If the court rules in the group’s favour, campaigners say those arrested could be entitled to compensation.

Since the ban was introduced earlier this year, hundreds of people across the UK have been arrested for sign-holding protests, with some police forces in other areas opting not to make arrests.

Community

Woman rescued from coast path after ankle injury

Published

10 minutes ago

June 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Coastguard teams called to Dinas Island near Pwllgwaelod

A WOMAN was stretchered from the coast path near Pwllgwaelod after suffering an ankle injury.

HM Coastguard Fishguard was tasked at 5:22pm on Friday, June 27, alongside HM Coastguard Teifi, to assist the casualty on Dinas Island.

The teams attended the scene near Hendre Farm Campsite and Cottages and, with help from the landowner, were able to quickly locate the injured woman.

Her injured limb was immobilised before she was carried by stretcher to her nearby car, where family members were able to take her on to hospital.

Fishguard Coastguard thanked the landowner for their help.

Entertainment

This Ain’t Texas organisers admit Carmarthen festival ‘didn’t go exactly as planned’

Published

14 minutes ago

June 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ORGANISERS of a country music festival held in Carmarthen have thanked visitors for their support while admitting that parts of the event “did not go exactly as planned”.

This Ain’t Texas Festival took place at the United Counties Showground on Saturday (Jun 27), promising live country music, line dancing, American BBQ, street food, western-themed stalls and family-friendly entertainment.

The event was part of a UK-wide tour, with the Carmarthen date promoted as a Nashville-style day out for families and country music fans.

But after the event, a number of attendees took to social media to raise concerns about queues, parking, food options and the overall organisation of the day.

In a statement posted online, organisers said: “Thank you, Carmarthen. What a day.

“Firstly, we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who came out and made this event so special. The support, energy, and positive feedback we’ve received across the country has been incredible, and we’re truly grateful for every single one of you.

“That said, we also know that not everything went exactly as planned. We’ve received some constructive feedback from attendees, and we want you to know that we’ve listened carefully.”

Some visitors said they had enjoyed the atmosphere, music and line dancing, while others said the event had fallen short of expectations.

One attendee said the day had been “very disappointing” after booking early-bird tickets and looking forward to the festival for months.

Another visitor said the bar queue was long, adding that they had queued for more than an hour, although they still felt the ticket price had been good value.

Others called for more food choice, including vegetarian options, and said parking and space on site would need to be reviewed if the event returned on a larger scale.

There was also praise for the local line dancing element, with one attendee saying it had “definitely added to the experience”.

The festival had been advertised as a one-day country and western-themed event, with live tribute acts, dancing, food, drink, stalls and activities.

Community

Civic service brings Pembrokeshire towns together in Haverfordwest

Published

3 hours ago

June 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CIVIC service has been held at St Mary’s Church in Haverfordwest, bringing together civic leaders, councillors, cadets and community representatives from across Pembrokeshire.

The Mayor’s Civic Service took place at 11:00am on Sunday, 28 June 2026, at the historic High Street church, one of the county town’s most familiar landmarks.

The service was hosted by Haverfordwest Town Council and attended by the Sheriff of Haverfordwest, Cllr Dani Thomas-Turner, Deputy Lord Lieutenants, the mayors of Pembroke, Pembroke Dock, Neyland and St Davids, members of the Guild of Freemen, the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet and the Mayoral Cadet.

St Mary’s Church has stood at the heart of Haverfordwest for more than 800 years. Built in about 1200, its size and position have made it one of the town’s dominant historic buildings.

Cllr Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner said the occasion had been “truly special and humbling”.

He said: “It was an honour to gather in one of our town’s most historic and beautiful buildings, a church that has stood at the heart of our community since the 12th century, bringing people together in faith, service and reflection.”

Cllr Thomas-Turner and the Sheriff thanked all those who attended, saying the presence of civic representatives from neighbouring towns reflected the “strong spirit of friendship and partnership across Pembrokeshire”.

They also paid tribute to fellow town councillors, the Guild of Freemen, and the cadets who supported the service.

Cllr Thomas-Turner added: “Days like today remind us that civic life is about more than titles and chains of office. It is about service, community, friendship and working together for the good of our towns and our county.”

He said the event had been a proud day for Haverfordwest, adding: “Haverfordwest truly is the Best in the West.”