Monday, 29 January 2024 — NetPol

Netpol is preparing a report on the policing of Palestine protests in England and Wales – and we need you to send us your experiences.

Palestine protests have faced increasingly severe police restrictions, been vilified as “hate marches”, and there have been calls for the outright banning of demonstrations. Hundreds have been arrested and protesters have been accused of antisemitism and “glorifying terrorism”.

Netpol and the legal support groups we work with continue to gather extensive evidence of the way British police tactics have been used to disrupt and deter Palestinian solidarity activities.

Now Netpol plans to gather these stories, interviews and statistics, with context and analysis, into a comprehensive report that can support campaigners to defend their fundamental right to protest in defence of the Palestinian people.

We are keen to hear about any notable police incidents, and especially if you have experienced:

• Police violence, intimidation or surveillance
• Police racism, including the targeting of campaigners from Muslim backgrounds and other racialised communities
• Police action following referrals to the government’s ‘Prevent’ programme over concerns about “radicalisation”
• Police officers challenging the wording of placards, banners, chants and leaflets at demonstrations (including officers insisting protesters wait for ‘specialist officers’)
• Arrests and charges for alleged racially aggravated offences, ‘hate crimes’, or arrests under counter-terrorism legislation

You can share your evidence and testimony by writing a statement or sharing video securely to palestinereport@protonmail.com.

Netpol also has a secure form you may prefer to use at: https://shorturl.at/nHUZ6

Send us your experience now

Find out more about our research