Leading academics call on UK to reverse ban on Palestine Action

Letter by global scholars supports mass show of defiance over decision

- Ben Quinn

Dozens of international scholars and writers have signed a letter to the Guardian calling on the government to reverse its ban on Palestine Action.

The letter, whose signatories include Naomi Klein and Angela Davis, applauds what it describes as a "growing campaign of collective defiance" against the ban and commends the hundreds of people who plan to risk arrest by declaring their support for Palestine Action during a mass protest in London on Saturday.

Signatories from academic institutions around the world say they are "especially concerned" about the ban's possible impact on universities across the UK and beyond.

It comes as the pressure group Defend Our Juries plans to hold a "mass action" in London on Saturday where participants have been asked to hold up signs saying: "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action."

Police have warned that they will carry out mass arrests of anyone contravening terrorism laws.

A separate Palestine solidarity march is taking place in London on the same day.

The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, proscribed Palestine Action last month after activists caused an estimated £7m of damage to jets at RAF Brize Norton military base in Oxfordshire.