CAMPAIGNERS urged police to redirect resources toward investigating Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for genocide offences, after more than 100 people were arrested for holding signs supporting Palestine Action on Saturday.

Demonstrators held placards reading: “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action” in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol and Truro at protests co-ordinated by Defend Our Juries.

In London, the Metropolitan Police arrested 55 people in Parliament Square.

The arrests were made under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000, which prohibits wearing or displaying items that could suggest support for a proscribed group. 

One woman detained by police said: “Our government is not only arming a genocide, they are using terrorism laws to silence people who speak out.

“Palestine Action are campaigning for peace. They are dismantling weapons factories.”

Another sign-holder, psychotherapist Clare Walters, said: “I am a 68-year-old grandmother.

“I cannot remain quiet while this country is actively supporting genocide in Gaza. It is not happening in my name.”

“To criminalise people who are protesting against arms sales to Israel is a terrifyingly oppressive step that is being taken by this government.”  

Police, meanwhile, guarded a group of counter-protesters who held signs such as: “There is no genocide: but there are two million human shields.”

Novara Media reported that one officer, who allowed around 10 people to disrupt the Defend Our Juries action, told them he wouldn’t intervene because “it’s a free country.”

Tens of thousands took part in the National March for Palestine, gathering in the capital for the 28th time since Israel’s genocide began.

Speaking from the stage, Stop the War’s Andrew Murray said: “We must say absolutely clearly, spraying red paint is not terrorism, spilling the blood of thousands of Palestinian children is terrorism!”

That evening at the Royal Opera House, a cast member staged a one-man protest, briefly scuffing with someone backstage as he unfurled an “unauthorised” Palestinian flag during the curtain call.

In Manchester, police arrested 16 people at another action co-ordinated by Defend Our Juries. A further 17 were arrested during another protest in Bristol. 

Eight people were arrested at a protest near Truro Cathedral in Cornwall.

In Derry and Edinburgh, protesters were left undisturbed with no arrests made.

In the latter, thousands also braved the rain for the national demonstration for Scotland, which saw protesters march to the British government headquarters at Queen Elizabeth House.

The government proscribed Palestine Action on July 5, after members broke into RAF Brize Norton and sprayed two refuelling planes with red paint.

Around 200 people have been arrested since the ban came into force. 

Defend Our Juries have written to the Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, urging him to instead use police resources to investigate crimes of genocide. 

The letter reads: “The independence of the police from political interference, and the principle that no-one is above the law, are the cornerstones of democracy and the rule of law. 

“As regards the proper use of police resources, we urge you to investigate the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, for offences under the Genocide Act 1969.” 

On Monday in the High Court, Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori will seek permission for a full judicial review of the group’s ban.

While it remains in place, membership or support for the group is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.