Protest arrests a troubling sign

More than 500 people were arrested at a protest in London on Saturday for supporting banned group Palestine Action. Hundreds attended the demo in Parliament Square, organised by Defend Our Juries, with the Met warning it would arrest anyone expressing support for the group, which was proscribed last month. You say...

- 

I DIDN'T like watching scores of pensioners being hauled off by police for simply holding a placard.

There is something quite wrong in this country if the authorities thought that was appropriate. It was far too heavy-handed. I can't imagine Stop Oil protesters being handled in such a way.

These pensioners were protesting about the banning of Palestine Action. They weren't causing a nuisance - they were exercising their right to demonstrate peacefully.

People feel very passionately about what is happening in the world right now and should be able to have their say.

You could see some of the police officers looked very uncomfortable having to cart off elderly protesters.Richard Furlong, Bristol

Palestine Action was outlawed by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and the government and police made it clear any support was not permitted and could lead to jail.