Cathy Allen, a 70-year-old activist, was arrested in Scotland for protesting against the British government's stance on Palestine Action. She and another supporter are challenging their arrests in court, claiming it violates their rights to free expression and assembly.
Key points
Cathy Allen was arrested for protesting against the British government's stance on Palestine Action.
She is challenging her arrest in Scotland's High Court.
The case could set a precedent for future legal cases in Scotland.
Glasgow, Scotland – A year ago, 70-year-old Cathy Allen raised a placard that read, “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action”, in Edinburgh.
The July 19 protest was the first Scottish action organised by Defend Our Juries, a group leading a civil disobedience campaign against the proscription of Palestine Action.
Allen was taken into custody a few days later, making her one of the first in Scotland to be arrested for supporting what the British government considers a terrorist group.
“We’ve watched what’s happening in Palestine, in Gaza, and been horrified,” she told Al Jazeera. “If our government is attempting to take away our right to protest genocide, that seems to me an obvious step too far. It’s really important to take a stand.”
Allen and fellow sign-holder Justin Kenrick are set to argue before Scotland’s High Court that their arrests are not compatible with the rights to freedom of expression and assembly. They believe that a positive result would set a precedent for future cases in Scotland and have a knock-on effect for England and Wales.
‘Chilling’ effect of proscription in Scotland
Figures obtained by investigative outlet The Detail show 103 reports of terrorism charges associated with Palestine Action, more than half of all 193 terrorism charges lodged in Scotland since the Terrorism Act was introduced in 2000.
Although the figures did not reveal the outcomes of the cases, Catherine Smith KC, the advocate general for Scotland, has stated that there are currently 54 live prosecutions relating to Palestine Action.
Defend Our Juries say 24 people are facing charges for holding signs like Allen’s, while an additional 16 people face similar charges for wearing T-shirts reading, “Genocide in Palestine. Time to take Action.”
“The proscription of Palestine Action should never have happened,” said Marie, a member of the Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee Scotland who spoke to Al Jazeera. “The fact that it’s being abused and misinterpreted the way it is to arrest people for simply wearing a T-shirt is bizarre.”
Across the United Kingdom, more than 3,300 people have been arrested for opposing the July 2025 ban on Palestine Action, a direct action group whose stated objective is to target sites connected to Israel’s military. Of those arrested, more than 1,200 people have been charged with terror-related offences in what many legal experts and rights groups have called an illiberal overreach.
Palestine Action is currently fighting the proscription in courts in London. On Friday, activists linked to the group were jailed on “terrorism” charges, despite being convicted of criminal offences.
Q&A
What charges did Cathy Allen face for protesting in Scotland?
Cathy Allen was arrested for supporting Palestine Action, which the British government classifies as a terrorist group.
What is the significance of the court case involving Cathy Allen?
The case could set a legal precedent for the rights to freedom of expression and assembly in Scotland, potentially impacting similar cases in England and Wales.
Who is supporting the civil disobedience campaign against Palestine Action's proscription?
The campaign is led by a group called Defend Our Juries, which organized the protest where Allen was arrested.
What are the broader implications of denying the right to protest genocide in Scotland?
Denying this right could limit civil liberties and the ability of citizens to express dissent against government actions regarding international issues.
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Scots in the Palestine solidarity movement say the ban creates confusion and anxiety, given the possible legal consequences of protest action.
Mick Napier, a spokesperson for the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign who is among those facing terrorism charges, said, “Anyone who’s charged with terrorism finds some international travel difficult, and people cannot apply for jobs with any hope of success if they work in certain industries – medicine, teaching, so on – because you have to disclose any pending charges.”
Only one person in Scotland has reported having their terrorism charges dropped.
A spokesperson from Police Scotland told Al Jazeera that “as the court has ruled that the proscription order will remain in place, Police Scotland will continue to enforce the law proportionately.”
Challenging the proscription in court
Following last year’s ban, cofounder Huda Ammori appealed. The High Court ruled the ban “unlawful” in February. The UK is challenging this ruling in the Court of Appeal, with a decision expected on Monday. The proscription will remain in place until the appeal concludes.
In January, a parallel case in Scotland was granted permission to proceed, with an initial hearing scheduled for March. However, in May, the proceedings were paused until Ammori’s case was resolved. This decision was made after a UK government minister showed up in person to argue their case.
“We saw it coming, so we weren’t so disappointed on the day,” said Napier. “But it would still have been good to notch up a legal victory.”
Joanna Cherry KC, who represents Craig Murray, a former diplomat who brought the Scottish petition for a judicial review, described the effect of the proscription as “chilling”. She said a fair balance was not struck between preventing “terrorism” and upholding free expression.
Helen Gourlay from the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign said she supported Murray in court because she believes that the ban infringes on basic human rights.
“I feel that we, in Scotland and the UK, are having our freedom of speech stamped on,” she said. “I’m really for the Palestinian people, and I think that the genocide has to be opposed … because our government is complicit.”
Napier hopes that the Court of Appeal in London rules in favour of Palestine Action’s Ammori on Monday, but he expects the government will try to appeal once more.
“In which case we’ll be a little bit deflated,” he said. “But we will continue to campaign. Nothing’s going to stop the huge number of people who’ve been educated during this genocide.”
Meanwhile, protests against the arms trade have continued in Scotland, with activists targeting Keysight Technologies, which is said to supply a drone factory owned by Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest weapons maker, and a Leonardo factory in Edinburgh.
According to the Campaign Against Arms Trade, the Leonardo site produces laser targeting systems for the F-35 combat aircraft “that Israel is using to drop 2000lb bombs on children”.
Unlike Westminster, the Scottish government has recognised the genocide and voted to boycott Israel. However, it is unclear what concrete action has been taken following the vote.
“If Holyrood’s (the Scottish Parliament’s) declarations on genocide and boycott mean anything at all, the Scottish Government must now make clear it will not allow peaceful protesters to be prosecuted under counterterrorism laws it has the moral authority to challenge,” said Defend Our Juries.
