Councillor accuses PSNI of 'vindictive, political policing'

The PSNI has been accused of “vindictive, political policing” by Derry City and Strabane District councillor Shaun Harkin (People Before Profit).

It follows the revelation last week the T-shirt worn by fellow councillor, Gary Donnelly (Independent) at a Derry City and Strabane District Council meeting is being investigated by the PSNI under the Terrorism Act 2000.

Asked by The Derry News for a comment on the PSNI taking such action in relation to an elected councillor, with a democratic mandate, attending a Council meeting, the NI Policing Board’s communications manager said: “This is an operational matter for the Chief Constable”.

Cllr Harkin made his remarks as three People Before Profit (PBP) members appeared in court this week in relation to “peaceful protests against Israel’s genocide in Gaza”.

The three, Cllr Harkin, Goretti Horgan and Davina Pulis notified the court that they would not accept a police warning and would “fight on to challenge criminalisation for protesting genocide”.

“We as a party stand 100% with our members and other Palestine solidarity campaigners facing prosecution and criminalisation,” said Cllr Harkin.

“Derry City and Strabane District Council backed a motion opposing the proscription of Palestine Action and calling for harassment of all Palestine solidarity campaigners to end,” he added.

“Delegates representing trade unions from across Ireland voted unanimously for a motion committing the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to supporting Palestine solidarity campaigners facing state victimisation for opposing genocide.

“Our members, and others facing similar charges, have done nothing wrong and, therefore, should face no police sanctions. In fact, Palestine solidarity campaigners should be commended by the Justice Minister for acting to stop complicity with genocide and war crimes committed on the Palestinian people.

“On behalf of our party, we thank Des Doherty and Sinead Rogan for their excellent legal representation, advice and support for our members.

“Finally, we would like to thank everyone who has supported us and joined us at the Courthouse in solidarity over many months. The global movement opposed to genocide and warmongering will not go silent,” said Cllr Harkin.

He added: “I believe the PSNI is involved in vindictive, political policing. This process has dragged on and on. The PSNI constantly claim to be under-resourced and at breaking point, yet they can waste time and public money on vexatious prosecutions of anti-genocide protesters. 

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‘Paul Givan’s visit to Israel is a deeply abhorrent propaganda stunt for the purpose of white washing genocide in Gaza’

“Just last month PSNI officers were sent to arrest elderly protesters in London for holding signs in support of Palestine Action. 

“While Goretti, Nina and I were in court, Unionist politicians from the DUP, UUP and TUV were boasting on social media of their support for the genocidal regime in Tel Aviv. The North’s Education Minister used the social media operation of his department to promote his Israeli government-paid trip, framing it as an ‘educational fact-finding‘ mission. 

“DUP MLA Paul Givan visited schools in Apartheid Israel and used civil servants paid by us to promote a country accused of genocide. Givan could not have visited schools in Gaza as according to Save the Children over 90% of schools there have been destroyed by Israeli Occupation Forces. 

“All 12 universities in Gaza have been bombed from the air by Israeli terror forces. It is frankly ridiculous that we are in court for opposing genocide when paid public representatives are swanning around the criminal state of Israel attempting to whitewash their crimes,” said Cllr Harkin.

The People Before Profit members said they would “continue to fight any charges that arise from our solidarity actions for the Palestinian people”.

The party also called for the resignation of Paul Givan. 

“The TUV, UUP and DUP are useful idiots for apartheid,” said Cllr Harkin. “We call on the Protestant working class of the North to reject these genocide supporting ghouls and stand up for the oppressed not the oppressor.”