Campaigners claim Welsh forces made arrests at every “Lift The Ban” protest, while Police Scotland made none

POLICE forces across Wales have been accused of acting in a “coordinated” manner after officers made arrests at every Lift The Ban protest held in Wales on Tuesday (Nov 18), including a significant operation in Aberystwyth where Dyfed-Powys Police said they were “overwhelmed” by the number of protesters.

The Lift The Ban campaign involves participants sitting silently while holding cardboard signs reading: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” The Home Office proscribed Palestine Action under terrorism legislation earlier this year.

Campaigners say police in Scotland and Northern Ireland took a different approach. Police Scotland made no arrests of 49 protesters outside Queen Elizabeth House in Edinburgh, while PSNI has not arrested anyone at similar events in Derry. In contrast, every protest held in England and Wales on Tuesday resulted in arrests.

Arrests in Aberystwyth

A total of 12 people were arrested on Aberystwyth promenade near the bandstand, with further arrests reported to be “ongoing”. Campaign organisers said officers appeared to be “struggling with capacity” as the number of demonstrators increased.

Dyfed-Powys Police has not yet released a full statement, but observers reported a heavy police presence and the use of vans to transport detainees from the seafront.

Arrests also made in Cardiff

In Cardiff, 12 protesters were arrested outside the Senedd as part of the coordinated UK-wide campaign. Actions also took place in Leeds, Nottingham, Oxford, Gloucester, Newcastle, Northampton and Truro.

Across the UK, organisers claim over 200 people took part, with 142 confirmed arrests by Tuesday evening.

Campaigners highlight differences between nations

A spokesperson for Defend Our Juries, which coordinated the actions, said the difference between Scotland and Wales was becoming “impossible to ignore”.

“Previously, many police forces took the view that peaceful sign-holding was not an arrestable offence,” the spokesperson said. “The sudden shift today — with every English and Welsh force making arrests — looks worryingly coordinated. The Home Office needs to answer whether pressure was put on local forces.”

They added that the ban on Palestine Action was already under legal challenge in Scotland, raising the possibility of differing judgments between Scottish and English courts.

Background to the campaign

Supporters of Lift The Ban are calling on the UK Government to reverse the proscription of Palestine Action and to formally recognise what they describe as genocide in Gaza. Around 2,000 people have been arrested at previous actions since the campaign began, with approximately 170 people charged under section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

Campaigners highlight that, earlier this year, the Scottish Counter-Terrorism Board concluded that Palestine Action “has not been close to meeting the statutory definition of terrorism”.

Further actions planned

The campaign will continue this week with a demonstration at the Ministry of Justice in London on Thursday (Nov 20), followed by weekend actions in Tavistock Square, Derry, Belfast and further protests scheduled for Cardiff and Edinburgh on Saturday, November 29.