Scottish Screenwriter Paul Laverty Arrested Under Terrorism Act in Edinburgh Protest

Paul Laverty, the British screenwriter known for his collaborations with director Ken Loach, was arrested in Edinburgh under the Terrorism Act 2000 for wearing a T-shirt bearing the slogan "Genocide in Palestine, time to take action" during a pro-Palestine protest. Police Scotland charged Laverty with showing support for Palestine Action, a group proscribed as a terrorist organization by UK authorities in July following direct action against military targets. Laverty was detained while speaking at a demonstration supporting activist Moira McFarlane and later emphasized the importance of addressing what he called genocide in Gaza, referencing international organizations' findings. The arrest has drawn criticism from activists and human rights entities, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who described the UK government's designation of Palestine Action as disproportionate and called for the ban to be lifted. Over 700 people have been arrested nationwide since the group was outlawed, many during protests opposing the ban. Laverty is due to appear in court in September, and the incident has sparked debate over free speech and the boundaries of anti-terror legislation in the UK.