A group of 86 protesters were arrested after they ‘breached’ HMP Wormwood Scrubs in support of a Palestine Action hunger striker, the Metropolitan Police said.
Police arrested the group on suspicion of aggravated trespass at the West London prison after they allegedly got inside one of the prison buildings.
The activists were supporting 22-year-old Umer Khalid, one of those arrested after vandalism at RAF Brize Norton, who restarted his hunger strike 15 days ago and is on the second day of a thirst strike.
The Met said the group refused to leave the grounds when ordered to, and allegedly ‘blocked prison staff from entering and leaving’ and ‘threatened police officers’.
A number of them are said to have got inside a staff entrance of a prison building, though it is understood the protesters did not get past security.
Videos posted to X appear to show a group chanting and holding Palestinian flags inside the grounds of the prison.
They can be seen moving towards the prison and, at one point, entering a building with loud speakers and a drum.
Placards bear messages such as ‘Umer Khalid speaking justice to injustice everywhere’.
The Metropolitan Police said they arrested 86 protesters at HMP Wormwood Scrubs
Demonstrators ‘breached prison grounds’, according to police, and allegedly blocked staff from leaving and threatened officers
All of the arrests were on suspicion of aggravated trespass
The group is understood to have gathered in support of Umer Khalid (pictured) who is on hunger and thirst strike inside the prison
Another clip shows a group of people up against the prison’s fence, surrounded by a large number of police officers who arrest individuals.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson described the incident as ‘deeply concerning’.
They said: ‘The escalation of the protest at HMP Wormwood Scrubs is completely unacceptable.
‘While we support the right to peacefully protest, reports of trespassing and threats being made to staff and police officers are deeply concerning.
‘At no point was prison security compromised, however where individuals’ actions cause risk or actual harm to hardworking staff, this will not be taken lightly and those responsible can expect to face consequences.
‘Prisoners are being managed in line with longstanding policy.
‘This includes regular checks by medical professionals, heart monitoring and blood tests, and support to help them eat and drink again. If deemed appropriate by healthcare teams, prisoners will be taken to hospital.’
Footage posted to social media appeared to show a group of protesters inside one of the buildings of the prison
Protesters can be heard chanting through loud speakers over a drum beat as they wave placards inside
Umer Khalid is the last remaining participant in the Prisoners for Palestine hunger strike campaign, according to the group.
He has been on hunger strike since November, briefly paused it over Christmas when he became unwell, but has now resumed and stopped drinking water as well.
Khalid is thought to be at greater risk because he suffers from Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy.
He has been imprisoned since July last year and is awaiting trial after allegedly breaking into RAF Brize Norton last June and causing criminal damage, which he denies.
Khalid and seven others had stopped eating food in protest of the charges.
Heba Muraisi, Kamran Ahmed, and Lewie Chiaramello ended their action earlier this month after striking for 73, 66 and 52 days respectively.
In July, pro-Palestine protesters claimed responsibility for breaking into RAF Brize Norton and damaging two military planes.
Palestine Action said two of its activists infiltrated Britain’s largest RAF base and sprayed red paint into the engines of two Airbus Voyager aircraft before escaping without being caught.
The Ministry of Defence said at the time it ‘strongly condemns this vandalism of Royal Air Force assets’ and that it was working closely with police.