Today in Focus

Can people still protest about Palestine in the UK?

21 snips
Jul 30, 2025
Haroon Siddique, The Guardian's legal affairs correspondent, and Audrey White, a 74-year-old activist from Liverpool, delve into the complexities surrounding Palestine Action's proscription as a terrorist organization. They discuss the impact of this classification on freedom of speech and the challenges activists face, including increased police surveillance and the psychological toll of arrests. Audrey shares her decades-long commitment to activism, emphasizing the critical need for collective action in the face of rising restrictions on protests and civil liberties.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Audrey White's Activism Journey

  • Audrey White has been a lifelong activist, starting from age 12 protesting the Vietnam War.
  • She recounts the power of peaceful collective protest and police violence she has witnessed.
INSIGHT

Misuse of Terror Laws

  • The UK government labeled Palestine Action as a terrorist organization, equating them with ISIS and Al-Qaeda.
  • This decision has been widely criticized for misusing counter-terror laws and criminalizing activists.
ANECDOTE

Audrey White's Arrest Experience

  • Audrey was arrested for holding a piece of paper supporting Palestine Action at a rally.
  • She was mistreated during detention and denied basic dignity despite peaceful protest.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app