SAVING LIVES is not terrorism, protesters chanted outside Scotland Yard on Sunday as they marked one year since Palestine Action was banned as a terror group.

An 84-year-old retired priest was arrested for showing her support for the proscribed organisation alongside 13 other activists standing against British complicity in Israel’s war crimes.

Protesters gathered outside the Metropolitan Police headquarters in central London chanting slogans and holding banners, following a Court of Appeals ruling last month which found the ban on Palestine Action to be lawful.

In this decision, five of Britain’s most senior judges overturned an earlier ruling from the High Court finding that the proscription of the direct action group had breached the right to protest.

But the government’s successful appeal of this decision means showing support for or belonging to Palestine Action is still a criminal offence, punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Sunday’s protest saw 14 protesters including the Reverend Sue Parfitt arrested by police for disobeying the ban.

The retired 84-year-old Anglican priest and former nun was among those who shouted their support for Palestine Action, standing on a soapbox holding on which the words “I oppose genocide” were written.

Leading the campaign against the ban, Defend Our Juries (DOJ) said protesters were arrested under section 12 of the Terrorism Act, “a far more serious charge than the section 13 charge for which those holding signs have previously been arrested.”

A DOJ spokesperson said yesterday’s protest marked “a substantial escalation in their campaign” called “Saving Lives is Not Terrorism.”

“Police officers are paid to save lives and prevent crime.

“Tens of thousands of children have already been murdered in Gaza.

“The best way the police could discharge their duty right now would be to target the British factories of Elbit Systems, the leading supplier of drones to the IDF.

“In the meantime, the ongoing attempt to silence peaceful opposition to genocide will continue to backfire.”

DOJ added: “It may seem tongue-in-cheek to invite the police to join Palestine Action but the police haven’t seen the funny side.

“They have arrested everyone under section 12 of the Terrorism Act. Fourteen years in prison is no joke.”

Reverend Parfitt told the crowd through a megaphone: “So what can I do at my age and my frailty, very little — I do what I can to support the Palestinians.

“One of the best things that I can do is to support the organisation known as Palestine Action because they have been brave enough to smash up the weapons that are producing the genocide.

“So I ask you too to support Palestine Action.”

A 2024 raid on the Bristol factory of Israel-based arms firm Elbit Systems, which left one police officer with a fractured spine and caused £1.2 million in damage according to the arms manufacturer, was one of the triggers for the government decision to proscribe the group.

Wearing a clerical collar and a crucifix medallion, Reverend Parfitt was arrested after speaking to officers who also searched her bag. It was reported that her bag contained a bible and a newspaper among other items.

She was then taken away in a police van.

Amnesty International UK marked the one-year anniversary of the ban warning that “treating protest as terrorism leaves the door wide open for governments to suppress protest movements in the future, while clamping down on solidarity with Palestinians right now.”

The human rights organisation highlighted that at least 3,300 people have been arrested “for holding placards” since the proscription.

A Met spokesperson said: “A small demonstration in support of proscribed terror organisation Palestine Action took place today outside New Scotland Yard.

“Expressing support for a proscribed group remains a criminal offence under the Terrorism Act and, as a result, officers made 14 arrests.”