ROUGHLY 150 people have been arrested as protests in support of terror group Palestine Action sweep across the country.
The group was proscribed in July after they took credit for vandalising two planes at an RAF base in an alleged £7million attack.
AlamyRoughly 1,500 people gathered to show support for the proscribed group[/caption]
APAround 150 arrests have been made so far[/caption]
AlamyThere were frantic scenes in the area throughout the afternoon, as officers forced their way through crowds[/caption]
AlamyThe Metropolitan Police said its officers have been ‘subjected to an exceptional level of abuse’[/caption]
Around 1,5000 demonstrators flocked to Parliament Square, central London, this afternoon in support of the organisation.
Police were spotted drawing their batons during tense clashes and one protester was shown with blood streaming down his face.
The Metropolitan Police said its officers have been “subjected to an exceptional level of abuse” at the rally in Westminster.
On social media, the force said: “Officers policing the protest in Parliament Square have been subjected to an exceptional level of abuse…
“… including punches, kicks, spitting and objects being thrown, in addition to verbal abuse.
“Any assaults against officers will not be tolerated and arrests have already been made.
“We will identify all those responsible and prosecute to the full extent of the law.”
Hundreds of people risked arrest at the protest as they showed support for Palestine Action.
There were frantic scenes in the area throughout the afternoon, as officers forced their way through crowds.
Officers had screaming arguments with demonstrators and had water and plastic bottles thrown at them.
Protesters could be heard chanting “shame on you” and “you’re supporting genocide” at officers.
A spokesperson for Defend Our Juries (DOJ), who organised today’s protest, said: “State repression has not worked.
“This is becoming Labour’s Poll Tax moment. The resistance to this ridiculous ban keeps on growing exponentially.
“It is also bringing together social movements in common cause.”
Palestine Action was proscribed earlier this year by then-Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
Despite the violence, which occurred particularly on neighbouring streets, Parliament Square Green remained largely peaceful.
Several hundred protesters, many of them elderly, spent the day on the grass, with signs reading “I support Palestine Action”.
Scotland Yard also said its officers experienced physical and verbal abuse as they arrested people for backing the group.
The force said: “Officers continue to make arrests of individuals showing support for the proscribed terrorist organisation Palestine Action at the Defend Our Juries protest.
“There has been a co-ordinated effort to prevent officers carrying out their duties, which has included physical and verbal abuse.
“A number of arrests have now been made for assault.”
The Met confirmed around 150 people have been arrested so far.
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