Demonstrations have been held in Canterbury after armed police threatened to arrest a Palestine supporter they accused of supporting a proscribed terrorist organisation.
Laura Murton was confronted by officers near the city’s ring-road on Monday as she waved a Palestinian flag and held up two signs condemning Israel’s actions during the conflict.
They argued she was committing an offence under the Terrorism Act as her protest was a show of support for Palestine Action – a group formally proscribed by the government earlier this month.
But the 42-year-old says she has no association with the group and noted neither of the signs she had at the time had any words supporting it, with one saying “Free Gaza” and the other “Israel is committing genocide”.
In the encounter, which she filmed and shared on Instagram, she was told by one of the officers: “Mentioning freedom of Gaza, Israel, genocide, all of that all come under proscribed groups, which are terror groups that have been dictated by the government.”
The officers said they would arrest Ms Murton unless she provided her name and address, which she reluctantly agreed to do.
She was also told that if she continued her protest in the city’s high street she would likely be arrested.
Ms Murton wrote on Instagram: “What fresh dystopia is this? We should all be very worried.”
Supporters of the 42-year-old took to the city yesterday evening, congregating near the former Wilko building, flying Palestine flags and chanting.
In one video, they were heard singing: “Raise your fists, rise, resist.”
Dozens of protestors gathered, sharing footage online and saying police had not been in attendance.
Tom Southerden, Amnesty International UK’s law and human rights director, described the treatment of Ms Murton as “very concerning”.
He told the Guardian: “We have long criticised UK terrorism law for being excessively broad and vaguely worded and a threat to freedom of expression.
“This video documents one aspect of exactly the kind of thing we were warning about.”
Security Minister Dan Jarvis said: “Freedom to protest lawfully is a cornerstone of our democracy.
“Palestine Action’s proscription does not and must not interfere with people’s legitimate right to express support for Palestinians.”
Kent Police has been contacted for comment.
