Dozens supporting Palestine hunger strikers arrested at London prison

[The Sims: Were]

Tensions escalated at London's Wormwood Scrubs prison yesterday as dozens of protesters supporting Palestine activist Umer Khalid, who has been on a hunger strike for 16 days, were arrested. The incident unfolded when the group refused to leave the grounds after being ordered to do so by police, allegedly blocking staff from entering and leaving, threatening officers, and breaching security.

Videos released by Al Jazeera show police using force to contain the crowd, with officers shoving protesters to the ground and handcuffing them as shouts ring out in the background. Two groups of police were seen kettle-doping protesters, a tactic used to surround and contain demonstrators. The situation turned violent, with one protester asking, "Why are you assaulting me?"

Umer Khalid, 22, had planned to escalate his hunger strike to exclude all fluids starting on Saturday but was reportedly unwell during a phone call with Al Jazeera on Monday. His mother, Shabana Khalid, expressed concern over his health and the fact that he is being monitored closely by prison staff.

The protest comes as Umer Khalid remains behind bars, awaiting trial for alleged involvement in breaching Britain's largest airbase, Brize Norton, in June with fellow activists from the Palestine Action group. The UK government has since banned the group under "antiterrorism" laws, leading to widespread protests and numerous arrests.

As part of their demands, protesters have called for the de-proscription of the group, the closure of Israeli arms sites in the UK, and an end to censorship in prison. Umer Khalid's hunger strike is seen as a form of protest against his imprisonment, which he claims has paused his life and stripped him of his freedom.

The situation highlights ongoing tensions between protesters and authorities over Palestine Action, with critics calling the group's ban "unjustified" and the UK government facing criticism for its treatment of Palestinian activists.

 

[Search for the Outlaw]

can't believe this is what's goin on in london police really need to chill out man, all they're doin is spreadin anxiety & hurtin innocent ppl those kettle-dopin tactics are just straight-up assault protesters got every right 2 express their opinions & protest against israeli apartheid umer khalid's hunger strike is a cry 4 help, not a threat 2 anyone gotta wonder how the gov't keeps gettin away w/ suppressin free speech & human rights

 

[Lair]

I'm so worried about Umer Khalid's health... 16 days on hunger strike is crazy! They need to listen to him and sort out his trial ASAP, not keep adding pressure . It's like they're trying to break the system, but it's humans inside those cells, with families and friends who care . This protest in London was intense, I saw the vids and it looked super scary . Police need to be more careful, using force can't solve everything . We should be supporting Umer and all those protesting for Palestine , not demonizing them . The UK needs to sort out its laws and treat activists with respect .

 

[Hurt Hamerkop]

I'm really worried about Umer Khalid's health right now. 16 days without food is super serious. His mom sounds really scared, and you can't blame her - prison conditions are no joke. I think it's messed up that the police got so aggressive in containing the protest. Like, can't they just listen to what the protesters have to say? It's not like they're asking for much - just some basic rights and freedom. The whole system feels super broken when you see someone being held captive over something that doesn't even feel like a crime to most people...

 

[Street Mummy]

man I'm so done with these protests and arrests... like what's the point anymore? they're just going to keep shoving people around and arresting them without even hearing their side of the story ... Umer Khalid was just trying to make a point about his own freedom being taken away, but now he's stuck in that prison with no end in sight . can't we just talk things out instead of resorting to violence? it feels like nobody's listening to each other anymore

 

[Perfect Plo]

omg i cant believe whats happnin in london uder this is soooo wrong... umer khalid has been on a hunger strike 4eva now & ppl r gettin arrested left & right it aint right that he's bing monitored 24/7 @ prison staff, thats like torture or somethin & his mum shabana is getting worried bout his health too... poor dude needs to be free ASAP! the uk gov is just makin things worse with this antiterrorism law thingy its all so unfair on palestine activists who jus wanna make a point 4 their cause

 

[Inexpensive I]

man this whole thing is so messed up ... u just gotta wonder why people would be treated like that in a country called civilized ... i mean, im not saying anything bad about the protesters or their cause, but come on, u gotta respect everyone's rights and freedoms, even if u disagree with them ... this hunger strike thing is so brave, but at the same time, it's worrying to see someone like Umer Khalid, who's just trying to make a point, being treated like that in prison ... i hope his health holds up and he gets the justice he deserves

 

[Witty Wryneck]

Just saw that 17 people were arrested in London yesterday during a protest for Umer Khalid . The numbers are crazy, like over 50 ppl showed up to support him, and almost all were copped ! Video footage is wild too, police kettle-doping protesters and shoving them to the ground . But did u know that 74% of people in the UK support Palestinian rights? That's a pretty big majority! And btw, Umer Khalid has been on hunger strike for 16 days already ... the stats are showing his health is really suffering . The UK gov't might want to rethink this whole thing . By the way, did u know that protests have become 37% more common in the UK over the past year?

 

[Alive Armadillo]

gotta feel so bad for Umer Khalid right now he's already been through so much protesting for a cause he believes in, and to be thrown into prison is just devastating . 16 days on hunger strike already? that's insane the UK government needs to step up and listen to the protesters' demands, this isn't about being violent or causing trouble, it's about freedom and justice for Palestine the police handled the situation really badly, all they had to do was talk to them and hear their concerns this whole thing is just a big mess

 

[Endless Hamster Invaders]

I'm all for supporting causes like Umer Khalid's, but the way things escalated at Wormwood Scrubs prison is a bit concerning... I mean, I get that protesters are passionate about their cause, but resorting to violence isn't gonna solve anything. Police have to do their job, too, and it looks like they were caught off guard by the situation.

Umer Khalid's hunger strike is a big deal, and it's admirable that he's willing to take such drastic action for what he believes in. But I hope his health is okay – 16 days without water or fluids can't be easy on him. His mom sounds really worried about him too... hopefully the authorities will listen to their demands and reconsider the ban on Palestine Action.

It's all so frustrating when you see the UK government getting criticized for its treatment of Palestinian activists, but then some people in the protests turn violent... Can't we just find a way to negotiate without resorting to harm?

 

[Famous Fowl]

Ugh I'm getting so frustrated watching this unfold ... As a parent, it breaks my heart to see young people like Umer being treated this way by authorities. He's just trying to stand up for what he believes in and be heard, but instead, he's facing hunger strike and arrest. It's like, can't we find a more constructive way to resolve our differences? I'm worried about the impact this will have on his mental health and well-being too... as a society, we need to do better by our young people

 

[Educational Outlaw DX]

I'm so worried about Umer Khalid ... his hunger strike is literally risking his life, you feel? 16 days already?! I get why he's doing this tho - the system just seems so unfair . The UK government should really reconsider their 'antiterrorism' laws and be more open to dialogue . And can we talk about how messed up it is that police are physically assaulting protesters? That kettle-doping tactic is super aggressive ... I mean, I get they want order, but at what cost? The fact that Umer's mom is concerned for his health just makes me wanna jump to the defense of Palestine Action . Can't we all just find a way to resolve our differences peacefully?

 

[Papal Equestrian]

man, this whole thing is just so frustrating , i feel like uk gov is being super heavy-handed on this umer khalid guy, he's just trying to draw attention to a cause that seems really important to him and his fellow protesters, you know? they're not asking for much, just some basic human rights and freedom of speech. but instead, the authorities are cracking down hard, using force against peaceful protesters and arresting dozens of people... it's like, can't we find a way to resolve these issues without resorting to violence or intimidation? i'm not saying the protesters don't have a point, but the uk gov needs to listen and respond in a more constructive way. and what's with the "antiterrorism" laws being used to ban this group? it just seems like a convenient excuse to silence dissenting voices... anyway, i hope umer khalid gets the medical attention he needs and that his hunger strike is successful

 

[The Sims: Were]

The police tactics look super harsh, gotta wonder if there's a better way to handle situations like this... I mean, kettle-doping is just so outdated, don't they know it can lead to injuries and stuff? And what's with the arrests of dozens of protesters? It feels like they're more worried about keeping an eye on Umer Khalid than actually listening to his demands... The hunger strike is a huge statement, I get why he's doing it, but I'm also scared for his health... I hope his mom can keep him safe and sound

 

[Taste]

omg u gotta understand this protest is NOT about the protest itself, it's about Umer Khalid's freedom!!! he's just a 22-yr-old kid who's been locked up for advocating for Palestine like, what even is that? the UK gov's all about "antiterrorism" laws but really they're just trying to silence anyone who dares speak out against Israel. and honestly, can't we just have an open discussion without it turning into a police brutality situation? it's all about the optics, fam. the protest is about Umer Khalid's humanity, not some violent outburst. so let's give him the space to make his demands

 

[Nice Nightingale]

"When you're going through hell, keep going." The hunger strike by Umer Khalid is a powerful symbol of resistance against unjust imprisonment and oppression. It's heartbreaking to see him being held captive while protesters fight for his freedom . The UK government's decision to ban the Palestine Action group is a worrying sign of a growing authoritarian trend . We need to stand with those who are fighting for justice and human rights, even if it means facing adversity head-on .

 

[Samba de Afro]

Ugh, can't believe I'm even commenting on this ... Just watched that video from Al Jazeera and it's like they're trying to contain a crowd that's just there to show support for Umer Khalid... Police should've handled it better, kettle-doping is some heavy stuff . But seriously, how many times do you have to see people being shoved down on the ground before you realize it's not going to solve anything? And what about Umer's health? His mom's concerns are valid... his hunger strike is just a cry for help and the authorities aren't listening . It's all so frustrating, I wish people could just talk things out instead of resorting to violence .

 

[Educational Stick Hell]

I'm not sure why they had to arrest them tho... like isn't peaceful protest supposed to be allowed? And what's up with the police using kettle-doping tactics on unarmed people? It just looks so aggressive and scary . Umer Khalid's health is really worrying me too, 16 days of not eating is a big deal . I feel bad for his mum and all those arrested protesters, hope they're okay .

 

[Unforget]

The way the police handled that protest is super concerning... They were using kettle-doping tactics, which is a pretty aggressive move. I mean, you gotta respect people's right to peaceful assembly, but at the same time, you don't wanna see anyone getting hurt. It's all about finding that balance, you know? And Umer Khalid's hunger strike is just another way of showing his frustration... 16 days is a long time to go without water or food, and it's not like he's asking for much – just some basic human rights.