An 80-year-old woman from Wells, Somerset, had her home raided by police after being arrested at a peaceful pro-Palestine rally in Cardiff. Marianne Sorrell, a retired teacher residing in Haybridge, was among 13 protesters outside the BBC on July 12, holding placards with messages like “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.”
Ms. Sorrell and her friend, 75-year-old Trisha Fine, also from Wells, were arrested under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000. This legislation criminalizes inviting support or organizing meetings for proscribed organizations, including the recently banned Palestine Action. Displaying support for the group or facilitating its aims may now be seen as offenses under this law.
During her arrest and subsequent custody, police conducted a thorough raid of Ms. Sorrell’s home. A friend who came to feed her cats noticed a Geiger counter on the kitchen table, a device used to detect radiation. Authorities seized numerous personal items including iPads, a Palestine flag, books on Palestine, materials related to Extinction Rebellion, and samba drum equipment.
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Ms. Sorrell also reported the confiscation of a signed copy of “Vulture Capitalism” by Grace Blakeley, her vintage Pentax camera, desk diaries for 2024 and 2025, homemade placards critical of Labour leader Keir Starmer, and white sheets stained with red paint used in a “Die In” demonstration to symbolize Palestinian lives lost.
In her statement, Ms. Sorrell expressed deep shock at being treated like a dangerous terrorist. She emphasized her right to peaceful protest under the European Convention on Human Rights. She described how the presence of several officers caused distress to her and her pets, invoking a loss of safety in her own home. Moreover, she has been bailed under strict conditions requiring her to remain in her house every night for the next three months.
Despite the ordeal, Ms. Sorrell remains committed to protesting what she describes as genocide in Gaza and holding the UK government accountable for its diplomatic and military support in the conflict. “The Palestinian people have a right to freedom, peace, and prosperity,” she affirmed.
The Mendip Trades Union Council publicly condemned the arrests and the heavy-handed police response. They highlighted that Ms. Sorrell and Ms. Fine are longstanding community contributors involved in charitable and sustainability initiatives, including Friends of Palestine, Oxfam volunteering, and local neighborhood watch efforts. The council criticized the excessive use of counter-terrorism legislation against peaceful protesters and called for consistent application of the law across the UK.
South Wales Police released a statement confirming the arrests under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and noted the ongoing investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing Wales with their support.
The case raises significant questions about the balance between peaceful protest, government security measures, and civil liberties in the UK.