Limerick Woman Arrested at London Protest Against Terrorism Ban

URGENT UPDATE: A Limerick woman, Sineád Ní Shiacaí, was among 532 people arrested in Westminster during a significant protest against the banning of the activist group Palestine Action by UK Minister for Justice, Yvette Cooper. The protest, which took place on September 2, 2023, drew attention to the UK government’s controversial labeling of Palestine Action as a terrorist organization.

Ní Shiacaí, who traveled from Caherdavin, Limerick, expressed her outrage over what she described as a “terrifying example of how far authoritarianism has crept into the so-called democratic West.” She stated that the Metropolitan Police executed a mass arrest, detaining anyone holding signs such as “I oppose genocide, I support Palestinian Action.”

“This draconian law impacts far beyond British citizens,” Ní Shiacaí emphasized. “I see our civil liberties, like the right to peacefully assemble and speak out, being steadily eroded.” Her remarks underscore a growing concern among activists regarding the UK’s approach to dissent, which she claims is falsely normalized as ‘counter-terrorism.’

Ní Shiacaí drew a personal connection to the protest, referencing her grandfather, Thomas Jackson, who fought against British rule in pursuit of freedom and dignity. “When I see the starvation and suffering of the Palestinian people, it resonates deeply with my family’s history,” she said. “This is a struggle for rights that should be taken for granted today.”

The arrests occurred under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act, amid escalating international condemnation of the UK government’s treatment of pro-Palestinian activists. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and the United Nations, have criticized the decision to label groups like Palestine Action as “terrorist organizations.”

According to Ní Shiacaí, the Metropolitan Police’s figures illustrate the absurdity of the ban. “Around a thousand people held placards supporting Palestine Action, and yet only about half of us were arrested. This is clearly a case of two-tier policing and a waste of public resources,” she stated. If charged, she is expected to appear in UK courts next month.

Looking ahead, Ní Shiacaí confirmed her participation in the next protest scheduled for September 6, despite her bail conditions. “The UK government has weaponized terror laws to stifle dissent,” she asserted. “This is a world where individuals face up to 14 years in prison for simply holding a sign. None of these protesters are terrorists; it is an insult to victims of real terror to label them as such.”

In response to the mass arrests, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police stated that their Counter Terrorism Command is working to compile case files for those detained during the protest. “Securing a charge under the Terrorism Act involves approval from the Crown Prosecution Service and the Attorney General,” they noted.

Last week, the police confirmed the first three charges in England and Wales related to Section 13 of the Terrorism Act, stemming from arrests made at the September 2 protest. An additional 26 case files are set to be submitted to the CPS imminently, with more expected from subsequent protests.

As tensions rise and the situation develops, observers are left questioning the implications of such legal actions on civil liberties and the right to protest in the UK. The growing movement opposing the ban on Palestine Action is indicative of a broader struggle for freedom of expression in an increasingly polarized political landscape.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story unfolds.