AN 80-YEAR-OLD retired teacher from Wells was among more than a dozen people arrested on suspicion of terror offences after staging a peaceful protest in Cardiff last month.

Marianne Sorrell, a former Oxfam volunteer and a befriender at a Somerset homelessness project, was taken into custody by South Wales Police on Saturday, July 12, for her part in a protest against Israeli military action in Gaza – and in support of now-proscribed campaign group, Palestine Action (PA).

Another retired teacher, repair café volunteer and fellow Wells resident, Trisha Yael Fine, 75, was also arrested.

Palestine Action was controversially proscribed on July 5 by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, a move which made membership of, or carrying actions deemed to “invite or recklessly express” support for the group, illegal under the Terrorism Act 2000.

The move came after a number of acts by Palestine Action were deemed illegal, including the spraying of two aircraft at RAF Brize Norton in June.

The group also claimed responsibility for several acts of criminal damage, including acts which saw red paint thrown across the frontage of Somerset’s County Hall, in Taunton, last year, part of a protest over Somerset Council’s investment in weapons firm, Elbit.

On July 12, the Somerset pensioners were among a group of 13 people arrested in the Welsh capital after a protest outside BBC offices.

They were taken into custody under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000 – which carries a potential sentence of 14 years in prison – having sat outside the building with placards bearing slogans including ‘I oppose genocide’ and in support of the now-banned group.

After her arrest, Ms Sorrell is reported to have spent around 27 hours in police custody before being released on conditional bail and allowed to travel back to Somerset.

It is also claimed her Wells home was raided by police while she was in custody, with officers carrying out an intensive ‘fingertip’ search of the property.

Protestors, including Wells pair Marianne Sorrell and Trisha Yael Fine, are faced by police officers at the BBC offices in Cardiff. Picture: Rhydian Witts/R Witts Photography LTD

The pair are members of the Mendip Friends of Palestine group, which has staged a number of peaceful protests against the Israeli military action in the Gaza, including staging a ‘die-in’ at Wells Cathedral in August last year, and protesting the sale of Israeli goods at Waitrose in Wells last October.

After the arrests in Cardiff, a South Wales Police spokesperson said: “They (the 12 protestors) were arrested on suspicion of committing offences under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000 (Supporting a proscribed organisation).

“The investigation, which is being led by CTP Wales with support from South Wales Police, is ongoing.”

On July 21, the Mendip Trades Union Council (MTUC) passed a motion in support of the pair, claiming the “disproportionality of the police response is inexplicable”.

“These are two caring, compassionate contributors to their community whose values are reflected in their work,” the MTUC said.

It went on: “Remember that the signs held by these people had no graphic content, no abuse, no threats, nothing inflammatory, nothing which advocated harm to anyone, and ask how holding them could possibly constitute terrorism, or how it warrants the punishment of violation of their homes and the prospect of ending their purposeful lives in prison?”

A protestor, believed to be Marianne Sorrell, of Wells, is led away by police officers at the BBC offices in Cardiff. Picture: Rhydian Witts/R Witts Photography LTD

The step to proscribe PA has been controversial, not least in Parliament, where a number of MPs have spoken out over the move – while the group has also been allowed to pursue legal action challenging the move.

Indeed, among those to vote against the move to proscribe PA was Tessa Munt, the Liberal Democrat MP for Wells and the Mendip Hills constituency – which includes Wells.

Ahead of that vote, laying out the case to Parliament on July 2, Minister of State for Security Dan Jarvis (Lab, Barnsley North) said PA had, since 2020, “orchestrated and enacted a campaign of direct criminal action against businesses and institutions”.

“Over time, and most notably since the start of 2024, Palestine Action’s activity has increased in frequency and severity,” he told MPs. “Its targets have broadened to include financial firms, charities, universities and government buildings.

“Its methods have become more aggressive, with its members demonstrating a willingness to use violence.”

He added: “Palestine Action has committed acts of serious damage to property, with the aim of progressing its political cause and intimidating and influencing the public and the government.

“In such attacks, Palestine Action members have forced entry on to premises while armed with a variety of weapons, and damaged or demolished property, causing millions of pounds’ worth of criminal damage.”

Members of the group had also “used violence against people responding at the scene”, the minister said.

However, some MPs challenged the decision, saying criminal acts could be punished under the current law, without proscribing the group – and pointed out how just three PA incidents out of hundreds had been deemed illegal.

Richard Burgon (Lab, Leeds East) told the Commons: “Today, we are not voting on whether people agree with Palestine Action’s tactics; we are not voting on whether people think its aim is right or wrong. We are voting on whether the actions it has taken against property, not against people, should lead to its being treated as a terrorist organisation, when what it has done can be prosecuted as criminal damage.

“There is a long history of protest activity including acts of trespass, criminal damage, sabotage and more. Indeed, the Home Secretary’s recent statement repeatedly refers to criminal damage and the live court cases, showing that there is already legal provision to deal with Palestine Action.”

He also highlighted how the move would potentially put law-abiding citizens at risk of being criminalised.

A protestor, believed to be Marianne Sorrell, of Wells, in the back of a police van after being arrested. Picture: Rhydian Witts/R Witts Photography LTD

“There are a variety of potential consequences if the proscription of Palestine Action is passed,” Mr Burgon said.

“Supporting or joining Palestine Action could carry up to 14 years in prison. That risks criminalising thousands of volunteers and supporters.

“Thousands have supported or volunteered with Palestine Action, including nurses, students, retirees and professionals. Many have never engaged in direct action, but risk being criminalised.”

Human rights group Amnesty International has condemned the move to proscribe PA, with chief executive Sacha Deshmukh writing to MPs and Lords, urging them to vote against.

“Proscribing Palestine Action will mean that by the weekend, millions of people living in the UK will have limitations on their freedom of speech,” he wrote.

“By the weekend, wearing a Palestine Action sticker, badge or T-shirt could result in a terrorism charge. This is a grave misuse of anti-terrorism powers.”

He went on: “What is at stake … is whether or not they are banned as a terrorist organisation, with all the ramifications for human rights that come with that.

“Members of the public who have no connection to Palestine Action will no longer even be able to fully exercise their freedom of expression on matters of fundamental importance.”

And director of human rights group Liberty, Akiko Hart, said: “This a concerning escalation of how the Government treats protest groups and uses terrorism powers. Proscribing a direct-action protest group in this way potentially sets a new precedent for what we do and do not treat as terrorism.

“We’re worried about the chilling effect this would have on the thousands of people who campaign for Palestine, and their ability to express themselves and take part in protests.

“Proscribing Palestine Action would mean that showing support for them in any way – for example, sharing a post on social media or wearing a logo – could carry a prison sentence.”

Frome & East Somerset MP Anna Sabine also opposed the move to proscribe PA, but abstained from the Commons vote, saying: “I don’t condone the actions of Palestine Action at places like Brize Norton. But existing criminal legislation is sufficient to deal with that.

“I think proscribing Palestine Action (which is what the Government got through Parliament yesterday) is disproportionate.”

READ MORE: Politics news from your Somerset Leveller

She added: “But to be clear, I think the proscription of (Palestine Action) is overreach, it’s the wrong use of terrorist legislation and I’m against it.

“It cannot be right that someone now wearing a (Palestine Action) T-shirt can be imprisoned for up to 14 years.

“This whole debate also takes the Government’s focus away from what it should be doing – very urgently pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza, ending the sale of arms to Israel and stopping the block of humanitarian aid.”

However, the move passed – and PA is a proscribed organisation, at least until their legal challenge is resolved.

And as for Ms Sorrell and Ms Yael Fine? They are subject to strict bail conditions as they await their fate in the courts – and potential jail time, for sitting in protest with a placard.

The Mendip Trades Union Council added: “If our government is prepared to treat these women as terrorists, we must question the legitimacy of this ill-thought out, duplicitously presented and irrationally-derived law, which neither serves nor protects our country.”

South Wales Police has not responded to requests for comment.