Why Over-60s Were Arrested at Palestine Action Ban Protest

This blog post examines recent large-scale arrests in the UK after Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. It focuses on a major Parliament Square protest where hundreds were detained. Notably, many elderly participants described their actions as civil disobedience in defence of free speech and solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

Who joined the protests and what drove them

The largest single demonstration resulted in 532 arrests. About half of those arrested were aged 60 or older.

Many of these older protesters said they felt a moral duty to take risks that younger activists cannot. This highlights the intergenerational dimensions of modern protest.

Profiles and personal motivations

Several named participants showed the range of conviction behind the action:

• Deborah Hinton — a former magistrate and OBE recipient — described the ban on Palestine Action as a “red line”. She compared the group’s tactics to historical non‑violent campaigns such as the suffragettes and the Greenham Common women, rather than to terrorism.
• Father John McGowan — a Catholic priest who deliberately sought arrest in his Roman collar — said his congregation supported his stand against the government’s Gaza policy.
• Colonel Chris Romberg (ret.) — from a family that fled Nazi Germany — spoke of being horrified by what he called Britain’s complicity in atrocities in Gaza. He drew parallels with WWII experiences.
• Richard Whitmore‑Jones (retired director) and Trevelyan Evans (74, screenwriter) — both described a sense that peaceful avenues had been exhausted. They expressed pride or discomfort at the tactics used.

Many older protesters said they had less to lose than younger people. Younger activists face potentially career‑ending or travel‑restricting consequences if convicted under terrorism‑related laws.

Legal, social and urban implications

The proscription of a campaigning group as a terrorist organisation raises complex legal and ethical questions about proportionality and free speech. It also raises concerns about the use of criminal law to manage dissent.

From an urban policy perspective, the events in Parliament Square show how public spaces become stages for contested democratic expression.

Impact on protest rights and public space design

Participants described arrests as frightening and empowering. Some reported sympathetic behaviour from police officers and cheering from crowds.

The scene underscores two key issues for planners, architects and civic engineers:

• Freedom of assembly vs. public order — designers and policymakers must ensure that civic spaces can host protests safely. They should avoid exclusionary designs that limit democratic engagement.
• Security and accessibility — balancing protective infrastructure with inclusive access is essential. This helps preserve both safety and the civic character of sites like Parliament Square.

Concluding reflections for professionals and citizens

As an architect and engineer with decades of experience in public realm design, I see the debate reaching beyond politics. It is about how we create spaces that support democratic expression while ensuring safety and legal order.

The arrests and personal stories call for a balanced response. We need open discussion about fair law enforcement, protection of free speech, and urban design that supports peaceful protest.

Public spaces are not just physical assets. They are essential parts of civic life where democracy is seen and tested.

The way we design and manage these spaces should reflect this responsibility.

 
Here is the source article for this story: ‘I’m proud to have made this stand’: over-60s arrested at Palestine Action ban protest explain their decision