A protester who was threatened with arrest beneath the Terrorism Act for holding a Palestinian flag and having indicators saying “Free Gaza” and “Israel is committing genocide” is taking authorized motion towards the police drive concerned.
Armed police instructed Laura Murton, 42, that her demonstration in Canterbury, Kent, final month expressed views supportive of Palestine Motion, which had been banned beneath terrorism laws earlier in July.
Murton mentioned neither of her indicators talked about Palestine Motion. When requested straight whether or not she supported any proscribed organisations, she replied: “I do not.”
Her solicitors have now issued a letter of declare on her behalf to the chief constable of Kent police in what was additionally mentioned to be a transfer to remind different police forces of their duties on the subject of peaceable protests by pro-Palestine demonstrators this weekend.
Murton shall be looking for damages and intends to donate any compensation to Palestinian causes, in addition to an apology and particulars of what has occurred to any info that the police recorded about her.
Shamik Dutta from Bhatt Murphy, who’s representing Murton, mentioned: “The legal challenge is being brought because as matters stand our client has neither received any apology nor any acknowledgment that Kent police conduct has been unlawful.
“She has had no indication that no further action will be taken against her in relation to her protest on 14 July 2025 or that no further action will be taken against her if she wishes to engage in a materially similar protest in the future.”
Within the encounter final month, which Murton filmed, one officer instructed her: “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.”
He went on to say that the phrase “free Gaza” was “supportive of Palestine Action”, including that it was an offence “to express an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organisation, namely Palestine Action is an offence under section 12(1A) of the Terrorism Act”. The officer instructed her she had dedicated that offence.
The officers mentioned they’d arrest Murton until she offered her title and tackle, which she reluctantly agreed to do.
Kent police had been approached for remark.
