Palestine Movement Under Attack By South Wales Police

 

PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION CALLING ON SOUTH WALES POLICE TO DROP ALL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARRESTED.

 

Want to show further solidarity with the peaceful demonstrators and defend their right to protest? Click Here To Donate And Support The Community In Challenging The South Wales Police

 

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

We, the undersigned, condemn the recent actions of South Wales Police, who arrested 19 pro-Palestine activists in less than 48 hours, including 15 at Cardiff Bay Police Station, and a 12 year old Palestinian child and her mother, in Swansea.

This unprecedented escalation began with the arrest of a disabled pro-Palestine activist, during a non-violent sit-in protest on a busy road in Cardiff city centre on 3 June 2024. The emergency demonstration was called in response to the continued bombing of Rafah by Israel, in direct contradiction of the ruling by the International Criminal Court.

Eight police officers arrested the activist, who requires a mobility aid to walk, from behind. In response, protestors, which included community members and students, demonstrated outside and conducted a sit-in at Cardiff Bay Police Station, demanding the release of the activist. The response of South Wales Police to this non-violent sit-in, was entirely disproportionate.

On arrival, officers forced the demonstrators out of the station. As video evidence displays, the officers then proceeded to push protestors towards the stone steps directly behind them.

Students were shoved to the floor, and another student was forced back into the station and arrested, as video evidence illustrates. Inside the station, protestors were dragged to cells. Activists have evidence of bruises from the treatment, one was kicked in the back, and there is video evidence of a Black activist being thrown to the ground by two officers.

The disabled pro-Palestine activist, was detained for approximately 26 hours, and the other 15 were held in custody for approximately 19 hours each.

The following day, a mother, originally from Gaza, and her 12 year old daughter, were arrested, and the daughter was placed in a cell. A 70 year old woman activist, who was providing police station support to the mother and daughter, was subsequently arrested, with the police concluding that the support amounted to a demonstration, and consequently arrested the activist, who had bail conditions instructing her to not attend a protest.

This is a completely unprecedented attack on the Palestine solidarity movement and the right to peaceful protest.

We, the undersigned, call on South Wales Police to cease their investigations and to drop all and any charges against the arrestees. We also call on South Wales Police and the political establishment to respect our right to protest against the ongoing assault on Gaza by Israeli forces.

 

121 organizations, parties, politicians, prominent figures, and student encampments have signed our statement condemning the actions of South Wales Police, targeting pro-Palestine activists.