Experter och civilsamhällsrepresentanter har i åratal varnat för att terrorlagarna aldrig var ämnade att motverka egentlig terrorism, utan istället att kriminalisera proteströrelser. Vår typiska "terrorist" är nu en vit medelålders kvinna som demonstrerar mot folkmord.
The Court of Appeal has ruled that the government’s proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation was lawful, days after four activists were sentenced as terrorists for criminal damage — a first in our legal history.
More than 3,000 people have been arrested since the proscription - most for holding placards - and over 700 charged under the Terrorism Act.
Not everyone will agree with the protesters’ politics, but the misuse of counter-terrorism powers to criminalise dissent should terrify us all. I voted against the proscription last year and I will continue to stand up for the right to protest.