Met Police Pay Damages To Mother Of Three After Gaza Protest Arrest
The Metropolitan Police have agreed to pay £7,500 in damages to a mother of three, arrested at a Gaza protest in November 2023 for carrying a satirical anti-Israel sign.
Aisha Jung, 53, from South London was with her husband and two of her sons aged 10 and 11, when police arrested her, stating the sign, which read, “Bombing Civilians, Massacring Kids, Ethnic Cleansing, Occupation & Blockade, Cutting off vital resources, Collective Punishment” and “War Crimes, War Crimes, War Crimes, Apartheid Israel, What a Cuntry” could be considered offensive.
Police surrounded Ms Jung shortly after she arrived at the demonstration in London’s Trafalgar Square and asked her to put the sign down. She requested they cite the legislation requiring her to do so and was told that the police were finding that out.
No explanation was offered to her and instead she was arrested, searched, bundled into a police van in front of her family and taken to Bromley Police Station which was over an hour away.
There she was interviewed on suspicion of committing a religious/racial offence under Section 5 of the Public Order Act and held until 4am. Her fingerprints, photograph and DNA were taken.
Ms Jung was released on bail until the following March, and it wasn’t until May 2024 that she was told no action would be taken against her.
Police have agreed to settle her claim for false imprisonment, assault and battery, misfeasance in public office, and violation of various rights under the Human Rights Act 1988, brought on her behalf by law firm Hodge Jones & Allen.
Ms Jung said: “Two weeks earlier I had gone to a demonstration with exactly the same sign, marching past hundreds of police officers. My work in human rights meant I understood my rights and was clear that my sign broke no laws, so the arrest was a huge shock to me.
“Officers held onto my arms as they took me to the police van. I was panicking inside but keen to stay calm for the sake of my children who had come along to protest with me. I knew it was wise to be polite and do what I was told but I felt very vulnerable, both on the long drive to the station and while spending the night in a police cell. Nothing like this had ever happened to me before.
“I had a lot of sleepless nights following my arrest, worrying about whether I might have to go to court, how my situation might impact my ability to apply for new jobs or continue my role as a school governor. My kids were worried about going along to future protests and I had concerns about how witnessing my arrest might affect their relationship with the police in the future.
“I’m relieved it’s all over and the police have finally recognised they made a mistake. Peaceful protest should not be shut down and it’s important that those who wish to protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza, or other injustices in the world, do not feel intimidated to do so.”
Bríd Doherty, civil liberties solicitor at Hodge Jones & Allen said: “There has been a growing climate of hostility towards those peacefully protesting against Israel’s conduct in Gaza, and it’s chilling to see the frequency with which police are using their powers to clamp down on dissent.
“The Metropolitan Police have rightly agreed to settle my client’s case. She was taking part in a peaceful demonstration and did not intend to cause anyone alarm or distress. Her satirical sign was targeted at the Israeli government and their treatment of the Palestinian people and she should not have been arrested while exercising her lawful right to protest.”