Madness - it's illegal to question a government decision?

Hearing argument that proscription generates uncertainty of what is legal to say, for example, "Palestine Action are not terrorists".

The judge immediately responded saying that statement would be support for PA.

The proscription of Palestine Action has a broad impact on the campaign for Palestinian rights because of the breadth of activity and networks.

Statements that could be deemed as support for Palestine Action could include "I suppose those taking action against Elbit".

PA's proscription creates a significant chilling effect which instils fear so people don't fall foul of the act.

Arguing now that proscription impacts any protests against Elbit and how any protest, no matter the form, could be considered as support for Palestine Action.

Paul Rodgers cont:

In many cases, like for suffrage and civil rights, direct action has resulted in the dramatic improvement of the human condition.

Palestine Action continues this tradition.

Examples of direct action from Paul Rodgers' statement:

- Gandhi's protests against salt tax
- US civil rights movement
- Greenham Common (£250k to repair fences, never terrorism)
- US & UK ploughshares movements
- East Timor Ploughshares movement (awarded peace prizes)

Amnesty International's intervention: Palestine Action cases are not new. They are equivalent to, and in some cases less so, in the severity to other groups that have not been treated as terrorism in the past.

Statement: The actions of PA were “legitimate and remarkably similar to actions engaged in by South Africans and supporters across the world against apartheid in South Africa”

The judge queried this is different because South Africa was not a democratic state.

Argument that proscription is unique in British history is not just a striking fact. Proscription is contrary to the ECHR.

We've heard that the Judicial Review (JR) will address:
- the fact Palestine Action (PA) doesn't advocate for violence (supported by the Home Sec's own advisors and police assessments)
- importance and history of direct action
- civil society's profound objection to proscription

Good point. Our taxes are paying for this fiasco.

All these officers have families. What will they tell them when they get home after work tonight? “Daddy, what did you do during a genocide?” Sad. Doubt this is what they signed up for when they enlisted. Shame on @metpolice.bsky.social

Peaceful people waiting to be pounced on by @metpolice.bsky.social

Police lining up ready to pounce on peaceful people