London police arrested prominent human rights activist Peter Tatchell on Saturday at a pro-Palestinian march after he displayed a placard bearing the slogan “globalise the intifada”, his foundation said.
The arrest follows announcements last month by two of Britain’s largest police forces that officers would detain individuals who publicly chant or display the slogan, a policy shift prompted by the Bondi Beach attack in Australia.
London’s Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police warned in mid-December that they would take a more “assertive” approach to counter what they described as antisemitism and incitement to violence.
Tatchell, a veteran campaigner best known for his work on LGBTQ rights, was detained while attending a pro-Palestinian demonstration in central London, according to the Peter Tatchell Foundation.
In a statement released by the foundation, the 74-year-old described the arrest as “an attack on free speech” and said he had been taken to a police station in south London.
“The police claimed the word ‘intifada’ is unlawful. The word ‘intifada’ is not a crime in law. The police are engaged in overreach by making it an arrestable offence,” the statement said.
“This is part of a dangerous trend to increasingly restrict and criminalise peaceful protest.”
Tatchell had earlier posted a photograph on X showing him on the protest route holding a placard featuring several slogans, including “Globalise the intifada”.
In a statement on X, the Metropolitan Police said, “Officers policing the Palestine Coalition protest have arrested a 74-year-old man on suspicion of a public order offence.
“He was seen carrying a sign including the words ‘globalise the intifada’.”
