Val Aston

An image brought to you by the same AI that some folk want driving cars, carrying out brain surgery, and in charge of our nuclear deterrent.

Yes, coming back to this, its a mixed bag. There is explicit recognition of direct chilling effect of proscription on, as you say, 'non-terrorist' activity of PA supporters, which is clearly a key factor in the proportionality assessment. But at the same time significance of this is minimised.

Very little explanation of how they reached this conclusion, given the court did acknowledge a risk of 'self-censorship' and a change in behaviour of those who are 'risk-averse'.

One key weakness, in my view, lies in the judgment's limited acknowledgement of chilling effect - there seems to be little recognition of indirect 'chill' arising from proscription. Eg no 'widespread or general impact on expressions of support for the Palestinian cause'.

Yes, agreed. The thrust of the proportionality argument seems to be that "PA have done things which the Home Secretary can legitimately call terrorism, just not enough of them to justify proscription'. I can't see that argument holding up in the CA.

Helpful analysis. While the outcome is great - and activists are rightly celebrating - the judgment itself is weak. As Elliott notes, its not that the High Court reached the wrong conclusion... "but it could certainly have done more to attempt to convince that it reached the right one."

This morning the High Court found that the government's decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation was unlawful. Explanation and analysis from @finishedloading.bsky.social and me below.

The flag of Germany flying from the top of a building.

1/4: I've received v. disturbing news that the Potsdam Regional Court in #Germany has opened trial against 5 climate activists from Letzte Generation, who will now face charges of forming a criminal organisation & risk 5 years in prison.

We express our concerns regarding the above-outlined allegations. In particular, we express our concern at the necessity and proportionality of the investigation into Letzte Generation on the basis of section 129 of the German Criminal Code, including the specific investigative measures taken. We note that section 129 is primarily used to target organised criminal groups seeking to enrich themselves through illegal acts, or who pose a threat to the public, and underline our fear that in this case it appears to be being misused to sanction acts of civil disobedience. A guilty verdict under section 129 can incur a punishment of up to five years’ imprisonment. Without wishing to express agreement or disagreement with the form of activism taken by Letzte Generation, we underline our strong concern that such a serious charge has been brought against members of the group, the acts of which are non-violent, carried out publicly, appear to pose no threat to the public, and are motivated solely by legitimate, well-founded concerns about climate change and its impact on human rights. We also note with serious concern that the accusation of forming a criminal organisation would not only criminalise the members of Letzte Generation, but any person deemed to be supporting them, exposing any such person to a sentence of up to three years' imprisonment. We also express our concern about the failure to guarantee members of the climate action group Letzte Generation their right to peaceful assembly and free expression as well as to guarantee the group their right to access and managing resources, that is an intrinsic part of the right to freedom of association.

2/4: I reiterate my serious concern about the application of s. 129 of the Criminal Code in the case, which is being misused to sanction non-violent acts solely motivated by wholly legitimate concerns about climate change & human rights @genf.diplo.de

the whole thing is of course completely revolting. 20 YEARS to settlement for refugees? no settlement if you’ve ever had a criminal conviction or a tax debt? 10 YEARS added if you’ve ever received benefits? partners and children on their own routes to settlement? What are you even TALKING about

Man confirmed dead as police issue update on 'serious incident' at university Police have issued an update following a tragic incident at Cardiff University

Man confirmed dead as police issue update on 'serious incident' at Cardiff University
www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

You tell me.

Of course there is a need for the centre. What baffles me is how so much work that is centralised for efficiency reasons seems to land back on my desk for me to end up doing in a highly inefficient way.

In the UK academic recession, you will be at one of these stages since many unis buy the same cuts model from the same consultancies. It is always the same process:
*Talk of belt-tightening
*Incidental savings (e.g. printing, refreshments)
*Travel budgets cut
*Promotion freeze (1/4)

UK police to use AI facial recognition tech linked to Israel’s war on Gaza Concerns rise as UK partners with controversial facial recognition company used by Israel in Gaza.

"Enquiries by Al Jazeera to the Home Office’s procurement agency, Blue Light Commercial, confirmed that the Israeli-based firm Corsight AI had been subcontracted by UK company Digital Barriers to provide the artificial intelligence-powered facial recognition software."
aje.news/dhdufc

Really interesting discussion in this thread about mutual aid actions in Minnesota, and how it all came about.

If only 38% were actually 'one-in-four'!

Very much hope this is one time when the polls get it right. www.itv.com/news/wales/2...

And like buses, two pieces at once on protest, proscription and political participation by @pmpoc.bsky.social

Excellent from Paul O'Connell: "Terrorism now performs the function that treason once did: not a description of actual conduct but a mechanism for foreclosing political possibility."

Always a welcome way to end a week but especially first week back: submission of a chapter

This 9,000-worder, written with my splendid UEA colleague @crwerren.bsky.social, will be in an edited collection "Human Rights in the UK under the Conservatives" by Conall Murray & Adam Ramshaw later in 2026

Paul O’Connell: Anticipatory Repression and the Proscription of Palestine Action The proscription of Palestine Action in July 2025 represents more than an aggressive application of counter-terrorism law. It reveals a broader, qualitative shift in the British state’s approach to…

A really interesting and thoughtful piece by @pmpoc.bsky.social - perhaps more so for its discussion and dissecting of what he wonderfully terms the “siege architecture” around the right to protest and organise in the UK today

Blue graphic with silhouettes of people along the top. Text reads: “COVID-19 Inquiry. Our closing submissions for Module 9: Economic response.” Long Covid Support logo at the bottom.

"The short answer is that the Treasury took no action at all."

At the UK Covid Inquiry (Module 9), the Long Covid Groups were clear: the economic impact of Long Covid was foreseeable and ignored, leaving many people without support.

Watch our closing statement: www.youtube.com/watch?si=ikR...

🧵 👇

I am a clinically vulnerable person, and I wear a respirator mask everywhere indoors or in crowded outdoor spaces. I would not be able to freely exercise my right to protest if face coverings were banned at protests. This is an attack on my rights, and I feel very strongly about it.

I am clinically vulnerable, so I would not go into crowded areas without a face mask. Forcing disabled people like me to unmask is surely disability discrimination?

As a single woman I do not want to be identified and risk being targeted by potentially violent or aggressive men. Women who have experienced domestic abuse may cover their faces for the same reason.

I have to wear a mask whenever I'm out and about because I'm immunosuppressed and Covid or flu could kill me... The people who look after me also wear masks, to help keep me safe. We shouldn't lose our democratic rights as a result.

Liberty supporters shared their concerns about Government plans to ban face coverings at protests.

This law, if passed in the Crime and Policing Bill, will make it unsafe for them to protest and limit their voices.

Our right to protest must be protected. For everybody. No exceptions.

Today I have learned that what we had last night/this morning was 'Thundersnow'. Bright lightning, reflecting off the snow, with subdued thunder. Amazing - thank-you #stormgoretti

Met using outdated powers to police pro-Palestine protests, say legal experts Lawyers argue ‘cumulative disruption’ regulations were quashed in May and should therefore not be used

I was also one of the legal experts but have ended up on the sub editor’s floor.I’d suggest three cumulative reasons…

1. If Parliament had meant that in 1986, it had ample opportunity to make it clear

2. The introduction of ‘clarifying’ Regs suggests they did not then, that power was never there

Sadly unable to get to this - but if you are in London would recommend. Excitedly awaiting delivery of the book.

Studied Chartism as part of my humanities degree at the then Poly of Wales in the 80s. Was life-changingly brilliant, but of course no such programme exists today.

“the principles of international law” rather prohibit bombing countries because their leaders “lack legitimacy”.

This is a statement