GLASGOW — Cathy Allen and Justin Kenrick will challenge their arrests in Scotland's High Court, arguing violations of their rights to freedom of expression and assembly. The British government has classified Palestine Action as a terrorist organization.

Allen was taken into custody a few days after holding a placard that read "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action." at a protest in Edinburgh on July 19. Kenrick also held a sign at the protest organized by Defend Our Juries. A police spokesperson said, "As the court has ruled that the proscription order will remain in place, Police Scotland will continue to enforce the law proportionately." Activists linked to Palestine Action have been jailed on terrorism charges following convictions for criminal offenses.

Over 3,300 people have been arrested across the U.K. for opposing the July 2025 ban on Palestine Action, with over 1,200 charged with terror-related offenses. Scotland has recorded 193 terrorism charges since the Terrorism Act was introduced in 2000, and 103 of those are associated with Palestine Action. Catherine Smith KC stated there are 54 active prosecutions relating to Palestine Action in Scotland.

Palestine Action is challenging its proscription in courts in London. The High Court ruled the proscription unlawful in February, but the proscription remains in effect because the U.K. government is appealing this ruling to the Court of Appeal. A decision on the appeal is expected on Monday.

Mick Napier, spokesperson for the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said, "Anyone who is charged with terrorism finds some international travel difficult, and people cannot apply for jobs with any hope of success if they work in certain industries, such as medicine or teaching, because you have to disclose any pending charges." Napier said, "We saw it coming, so we were not so disappointed on the day. But it would still have been good to notch up a legal victory." He added, "In which case we will be a little bit deflated. But we will continue to campaign. Nothing is going to stop the huge number of people who have been educated during this genocide." Allen said, "We have watched what is happening in Palestine and Gaza, and we have been horrified. If our government is attempting to take away our right to protest genocide, that seems to me an obvious step too far. It is really important to take a stand."

Activists in Scotland have protested against Keysight Technologies, which is reported to supply a drone factory owned by Elbit Systems, the largest weapons manufacturer in Israel. Activists have also protested against a Leonardo factory in Edinburgh. The Campaign Against Arms Trade states the Leonardo factory produces laser targeting systems for the F-35 combat aircraft.