Octogenarian campaigners among those arrested at Northampton Lift the Ban protests
Peaceful protests resulted in some pensioners being arrested in Northampton yesterday.
By Sarah Ward
Octogenarian campaigners were among those arrested in Northampton yesterday for protesting against the government’s ban on Palestine Action.
Northants Police arrested nine people who were part of the Lift the Ban national action organised by Defend our Juries which saw more than 140 people arrested by several police forces across the country.
Anthony Loukes, who became known when he was arrested in 2023 for trying to prevent trees in Wellingborough from being axed, was among those arrested during the protest outside the Guildhall in Northampton. Police say six men aged 87, 81, 67, 64, 62 and 57 were arrested under suspicion of offences under the terrorism act along with three women aged 75, 60 and 44.
In July the Labour government under then home secretary Yvette Cooper proscribed Palestine Action, which has been protesting against the genocide, as a terrorist organisation claiming it was ‘more than a protest group’. The move has provoked significant protest and so far more than 2,000 arrests have been made during a number of protests.
There will be a judicial review later this month challenging the government’s decision.
Anthony Loukes told NN Journal, he was the last to be arrested. He said:
“I feel so, so sad about situation in Gaza. Children are being starved and I felt I need to do whatever I can.”
He said a couple of the others arrested before him chose to go floppy and were then put face down on a stretcher and handcuffed.
He said:
“I was afraid the police at any time might of manhandled me, but they didn’t. It was a very worrying process. Peaceful elderly people being bundled into vans, is just awful."
Paul Crofts, who was at the event, but not arrested, said:
“It is crazy that they have made Palestine Action a terrorist organisation - absolute crazy madness.
“I think the government is deeply regretting it because they are becoming a laughing stock. But this is what things are getting like.”
He said the protest was completely peaceful and largely silent protest and those who held up a banner saying they support Palestine Action were the people arrested.
Saffy, was among those arrested.
She said:
“Our government is complicit in genocide and they are taking away our freedom of speech.”
They were taken to the holding cells at Brackmills and have been released on condition bail without charge and will have to return for police interview in January where they could be charged. Conditions included not returning to Northampton Guildhall within 24 hours and not taking part in any further protests.
Defend Our Juries said it appeared that different police forces had taken different approaches to the protests, which will continue at different locations throughout this week.
They said:
“Local police forces are operationally independent of central government and so have to make their own choice about how to react to the Lift The Ban protests.
“Several police forces have chosen not to arrest Lift The Ban sign-holders, respecting their fundamental right to protest and to freedom of expression.
“Sign-holders in Derry, Edinburgh, Totnes, Norwich and Kendal have not been arrested at Lift The Ban protests despite informing the police in advance of their plans.”
Northants Police issued a statement after the event from event commander, Chief Inspector Paul Cash, who said:
“Thankfully this operation has been delivered successfully and without any police officers or members of the public getting hurt.”