Veteran rights campaigner Peter Tatchell was detained by London police for displaying a “globalise the intifada” sign, sparking free speech criticism.
LONDON: Veteran human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell was arrested at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in central London on Saturday.
The 74-year-old was detained for displaying a placard featuring the slogan “globalise the intifada”.
His foundation confirmed the arrest and stated he was taken to a south London police station.
Tatchell branded the detention “an attack on free speech” in a statement.
“The police claimed the word intifada is unlawful,” the statement said.
“The word intifada is not a crime in law. The police are engaged in overreach by making it an arrestable offence.”
The Metropolitan Police said officers arrested a 74-year-old man on suspicion of a public order offence.
They stated he was seen carrying a sign including the words ‘globalise the intifada’.
The arrest follows a policy change announced by London and Manchester police forces last month.
Officers were instructed to detain people who publicly chant or display the slogan, a move prompted by the Bondi Beach attack in Australia.
Tatchell, best known for his LGBTQ advocacy, had posted a photograph of himself at the protest on social media.
The image showed him carrying a placard with several slogans, including the contentious phrase.
“This is part of a dangerous trend to increasingly restrict and criminalise peaceful protests,” his foundation’s statement added.
The police forces had warned of the “assertive” move in mid-December to counter alleged antisemitism and incitement to violence.