Arrests of DOJ organisers mark a desperate escalation to derail the movement against genocide

_London - _The arrests of five leading organisers from Defend our Juries (DOJ) under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000 is a desperate attempt to disrupt and stop the mass civil disobedience campaign the organisation is leading. 

Those arrested include Tim Crosland, a former government lawyer who co-founded the organisation, and 25-year-old law student Paddy Friend. 

Police made the arrests following dawn raids at the organisers’ homes hours before a press conference was due to take place, where the Lift The Ban campaign was to confirm that over 1000 commitments have been made and that Saturday’s mass civil disobedience action will go ahead.

The DOJ described the arrests as a “dystopian crackdown” and vowed that defiance action would proceed as planned. 

CAGE International’s Head of Public Advocacy, Anas Mustapha, said: 

“We demand an immediate release of those arrested.”

“It is a disgrace that the state is employing its might against ordinary citizens who are encouraging peaceful protest, instead of halting its support for Israel’s livestreamed genocide in Gaza. The arrest of 532 individuals at last month’s DOJ protest did not deter the 1000 who have committed to participating in the 6 September action, and neither will today’s arrests. The state’s fear tactics will not intimidate people into remaining silent as a genocide goes on.”

"The UK Government is losing all legitimacy with its participation in the Gaza genocide. Civil disobedience is fast becoming the only viable option available to hold the state to account.”