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Politics
Apr 24, 2026
Analyzed by GPT OSS 120B

Sally Rooney and Greta Thunberg Join 130+ Figures to Back Palestine Action Before Court Hearing

AI Summary
More than 130 public figures, including writer Sally Rooney and climate activist Greta Thunberg, signed a letter urging the UK Court of Appeal to reject the government’s ban on Palestine Action. The declaration arrives ahead of hearings on April 28‑29 that will decide the fate of the proscription.

Lead: High‑Profile Intellectuals Mobilise Against Palestine Action Ban

Over 130 renowned writers, musicians, scholars and activists have signed a single‑sentence letter—"We oppose genocide, we support Palestine Action"—addressed to the UK Court of Appeal. The move is timed for the April 28‑29 hearings that will determine whether the government’s terrorist‑organisation label on Palestine Action stands.

Public Figures Rally Behind Palestine Action Ahead of Court Hearing

The open letter, released on Friday, bears 132 signatures and includes Sally Rooney, Greta Thunberg, philosopher Judith Butler, musicians Nadine Shah and Brian Eno, and writers such as China Miéville, Lina Meruane and Tariq Ali. Signatories span leading universities—Cambridge, Oxford, Yale, Columbia and the London School of Economics—underscoring the breadth of academic and cultural opposition to the ban.

Numbers Highlighting the Legal and Protest Landscape

  • 132 signatures on the letter.
  • More than 130 public figures involved.
  • Government designated Palestine Action a “terrorist organisation” in July 2025, equating it with Hezbollah and al‑Qaeda.
  • Support for the group is punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment.
  • Metropolitan Police arrested over 500 demonstrators earlier this month and have a record of > 3,000 arrests for similar expressions of support.

Implications for UK Free Speech and Protest Law

The High Court’s February ruling that the ban was unlawful and disproportionate set a precedent, prompting the Met to pause arrests. However, the government’s appeal and the Met’s recent reversal—arresting protesters again—signal a potential tightening of enforcement. If the appeal succeeds, the legal risk for academics and artists expressing solidarity could rise sharply, chilling dissent and reshaping the UK’s protest jurisprudence.

What the Upcoming Appeal Could Mean for Activism and Government Policy

Legal experts predict the Court of Appeal will weigh national security claims against fundamental rights to free expression. A upheld ban would reinforce a hardline stance, likely prompting further international criticism and galvanising more coordinated civil‑society campaigns. Conversely, a reversal could force the government to reconsider its terrorism‑designation framework, possibly leading to legislative reforms that better protect lawful protest.