'Defend the Right to Protest' rally to take place in Derry's Guildhall

A 'Defend the Right to Protest' rally will take place in Derry's Guildhall.

The event, will take place on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 3pm, in protest at British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper's proscription of Palestine Action.

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According to Derry veteran civil rights activist Eamonn McCann, the ban on Palestine Action represents the "biggest threat to civil liberties here since the civil rights movement was battered off the streets close on 60 years ago".

"It is for this reason that veterans of the civil rights movement will gather in Guildhall Square this Saturday afternoon to declare their opposition to this serious assault on the right to protest, and civil rights generally," he added.

"This latest development not only bans Palestine Action as a 'terrorist organisation' it makes expression of support for it a criminal offence. This is a full frontal assault on freedom of speech.

"Among those protesting on Saturday will be Peter Collins,  Diana and James King,  Eamonn McCann, Kate Nash, , Kitty O’Kane, PJ O’Neill, Eileen Webster, Willie White and Bobby White."