PRO-Palestine protesters were seen clashing with cops today as chaos erupted in London.
A huge mob descended on Trafalgar Square in central London this afternoon – with cops forced to intervene.
PAPolice officers were seen arresting Palestine Action protesters[/caption]
PAThe Home Secretary is preparing to ban Palestine Action following the group’s vandalism of two planes at an RAF base[/caption]
AFPProtesters held banners during a protest in support of the pro-Palestinian group[/caption]
In one video posted online, a group of four cops can be seen attempting to wrestle a protester to the ground.
Other activists swarm around the officers as they struggle to take down the man.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced today she has decided to proscribe Palestine Action.
She explained that she will lay an order before Parliament next week which, if passed, will make membership and support for the protest group illegal.
The ban will see the organisation on par with Hamas, al-Qaeda and Islamic State.
The decision was made after activists from the pro-Palestinian group broke into RAF Brize Norton last week.
Speaking on Sunday, Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said he was “shocked” and “frustrated” at the planned demonstration today.
He wrote on social media: “I’m sure many people will be as shocked and frustrated as I am to see a protest taking place tomorrow in support of Palestine Action.
“This is an organised extremist criminal group, whose proscription as terrorists is being actively considered.
“Members are alleged to have caused millions of pounds of criminal damage, assaulted a police officer with a sledgehammer and last week claimed responsibility for breaking into an airbase and damaging aircraft.
“Multiple members of the group are awaiting trial accused of serious offences.
“The right to protest is essential and we will always defend it but actions in support of such a group go beyond what most would see as legitimate protest.”
Footage shared online showed two Palestine Action members breaking into the base and vandalising two planes in a “grotesque” breach of security.
They spray red paint into the rear of one of the jet’s two engines and deep into the aircraft itself.
The pair of activists can then be seen roaming free across the grounds of the airbase on electric scooters.
Brize Norton is the RAF‘s largest airbase and home to more than 6,000 military and civilian personnel as well as the UK’s largest military aircraft.
The MoD slammed the “vandalism of Royal Air Force assets” in a scathing statement.
A spokeswoman for the ministry said: “Our armed forces represent the very best of Britain.
“They put their lives on the line for us, and their display of duty, dedication and selfless personal sacrifice are an inspiration to us all.
“It is our responsibility to support those who defend us.”
The shocking break-in at the Oxfordshire base prompted a security review at military bases across the UK.
Hundreds commented under videos of the activists’ efforts on social media, asking how security could be “that lacking” at a major military air base.
A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: “We have received a report of people gaining access to RAF Brize Norton and causing criminal damage.
“An investigation has been launched and we are working with the Ministry of Defence Police and partners at RAF Brize Norton.
“Inquiries are ongoing to locate and arrest those responsible.”
ITV NewsThe giant Voyager plane was left coated in red paint[/caption]
AFPThe group broke into RAF Brize Norton and vandalised two planes[/caption]
Brize Norton is the RAF’s largest airbase Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
