New Home Secretary urged to rethink ‘repressive and ridiculous’ anti-protest laws
The UK’s new Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has been urged to rethink the ridiculous and repressive laws that have seen hundreds of people arrested for waving cardboard signs in support of Palestine Action.
The Scottish Greens justice spokesperson, Maggie Chapman, has urged the Home Secretary to reconsider the proscription of the organisation itself and the implementation of the laws.
Maggie said:
“The decision to treat protesters as terrorists is looking more repressive and ridiculous by the day.
“I urge the new Home Secretary to reconsider the authoritarian and undemocratic decision and the harsh manner in which it is being implemented and to reverse course.
“Nobody can look at footage of pensioners and priests being carried away by the police for holding banners and think it is the right thing to do or a sensible use of resources.
“It is particularly sickening to see people being criminalised for standing up for Palestine at the same time as an Israeli President who has presided over apartheid and genocide is being welcomed into Westminster.
“The right to protest is a crucial part of our democracy and one that people fought for over centuries. Peaceful protest should never be a crime and nor should defending that right.”
Last month Maggie wrote to Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Angela Constance, urging her to publish guidance and provide a statement on how Scotland is implementing the law and why.