More than 130 Important People Write a Letter to Support Palestine Action
Introduction
More than 130 scholars, writers, and activists sent a letter to the UK Court of Appeal. They support the group Palestine Action. The court will soon decide if the government's ban on the group is legal.
Main Body
In July 2025, the UK government said Palestine Action is a terrorist group. This happened after members of the group entered an air force base and caused £7 million in damage. Now, it is illegal to be a member of the group or to support it. People can go to prison for up to 14 years. In February 2025, a High Court said the ban was not legal. But the government did not agree. The government asked a higher court to change the decision. The ban is still in place. The higher court will hear the case on April 28 and 29. The police stopped arresting people after the High Court decision, but then they started again. They arrested more than 500 people at a protest in April. The letter says: 'We oppose genocide, we support Palestine Action.' More than 130 people signed it. Some famous signers are writer Sally Rooney, activist Greta Thunberg, musician Brian Eno, and philosopher Judith Butler. Many professors from universities like Oxford and Cambridge also signed. Some signers gave more comments. One professor said the situation is 'absurd and contradictory.' Another person said the government uses the word 'terrorist' in a wrong way. The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said she does not agree with the High Court. She thinks the ban is correct. Human rights groups say the government should stop the ban. The signers of the letter could be arrested for supporting a banned group.
Conclusion
The Court of Appeal will decide if the ban on Palestine Action stays. The letter from important people shows a big argument between free speech and anti-terrorism laws in the UK.