I covered the Leeds ‘Lift the Ban’ protest on 18 November. And it was a highly disturbing event I’ll never forget – not least because of the conduct of the cops.

The surreal event – marked by actions of the cops

Anyone witnessing the quiet civility of the people holding up signs saying “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action” would understand that the state sending dozens of cops to arrest them was an absurd waste of their time and of public resources. And it wasn’t just the commitment and bravery of the protesters maintaining their calm in front of the state’s enforcers that shone through. It was the utter absurdity of the government’s ban on non-violent direct action group Palestine Action that put the police in that position in the first place.

As large groups of cops swarmed around one peaceful protester after another, reading their rights and trying to convince them to walk away quietly, it felt historic. Because these single acts of defiance, all unique and special sacrifices from compassionate souls resisting injustice, are happening all around the country. This is an unprecedented moment. And the disobedience is on a massive scale.

Witnessing each individual challenge the government’s suppression of democracy in service of a genocidal foreign power was powerful. Each act should give courage to us all. Each act should also make the state tremble. Because it has deeply undermined its legitimacy in the last two years, far beyond anything else it has done for a generation. And this movement is not over yet.

https://www.thecanary.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Leeds-DoJ-1-1.mp4

Enforcing immorality is wearing the police down

I usually keep a healthy distance from cops wherever possible, and had never stood so close to them as I did this week. And that proximity let me sense their energy, listen carefully to their tone of voice, and look into their eyes.

Police officers are slightly to the right of the general population, but still have diverse backgrounds and opinions. And you could see that in their behaviour. Some absolutely were aggressive and almost certainly hostile to the cause of Palestinian liberation in the private lives. But others behaved as professionally as possible in the circumstances (some clearly putting it on, others seemingly genuine). Then, there were clearly some who were very on edge, with others visibly rattled by having to arrest tranquil protesters largely in their 60s or 70s.

Many societies place great emphasis on respecting their elders. And the protesters here were teaching the cops a lesson in refusing to go along with the immorality of our leaders. Some police officers clearly tried to block out any comments from them, or to focus on repeating the words they had learnt to recite. But I could swear there were moments where you could see them die inside. Some clearly know that what they are doing is wrong – following orders that they should never have received.

Something has to give. And the pressure is going nowhere.

Featured image and video via the Canary

By Ed Sykes

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