[Police arrest 474 at Palestine Action ban protest]
[Police have arrested 474 people at a demonstration
in London in support of banned group Palestine Action.
The Metropolitan Police said 466 protesters were arrested
for supporting the group,
five for assaults on police officers,
two for public order offences,
and one for a racially aggravated offence.
Scores of people simultaneously unveiled
handwritten signs with the message
"I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action"
at the protest, organised by
Defend Our Juries at
Westminster's Parliament Square.
The government proscribed the group in July
under the Terrorism Act of 2000,
making membership of or support
for it a criminal offence,
punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
No officers were seriously injured,
and the Met Police said the number of arrests
was the largest made by the force on
a single day in the last 10 years.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper thanked police
for their response,
while charity Amnesty International described
the mass arrests as "deeply concerning".
Footage from the square showed officers moving
among the protesters, who were mainly seated
on the ground, and speaking to
them before leading them away.
Protesters whose details could be confirmed
during processing were bailed with conditions
not to attend any further protest in support
of Palestine Action.
People who refused to give their details
or whose identities could not be verified
were taken into custody.]
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8de6rq37v5o