Oil Change International Statement on UK Government Proscribing Palestine Action
For immediate release
We are witnessing an historic and dangerous escalation in the UK Government’s attack on the right to protest. Oil Change International urges the UK Government to stop their draconian efforts to designate Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. Peaceful protest is not terrorism, it is fundamental to democracy.
It is deeply concerning that the UK Government has called Palestine Action terrorists for spray painting planes, yet it continues to provide material support to the Israeli Government committing genocide.
Taking non-violent direct action against oppression follows in the tradition of nearly every civil rights and non-violent protest movement across the world. OCI stands in solidarity with the many voices – from human rights groups, writers, artists and activists – in condemning the UK Government’s move to call peaceful protest terrorism.
This effort by the UK Government constitutes a further attack on the right to peaceful protest, in a country already handing out record setting multi-year sentences to non-violent protestors. We urge the Home Secretary and Prime Minister to stop this degradation of democracy, and instead help stop the genocide in Gaza.