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British police arrested 86 people protesting outside the Wormwood Scrubs prison in west London on Saturday in support of a Palestine Action prisoner on hunger strike.
Muhammad Umer Khalid, 22, is the last of seven prisoners linked to the now-banned direct action group who launched a hunger strike over their detention conditions and the group’s proscription.
On 14 January, three hunger strikers announced they would end their food refusal after the government decided not to award a multi-billion-pound contract to the UK subsidiary of Israeli arms company Elbit Systems.
But Khalid, who has been held on remand at HMP Wormwood Scrubs on charges in connection with an alleged break-in by Palestine Action activists at RAF Brize Norton airbase in June last year, resumed his hunger strike after a pause on 10 January.
His demands include immediate bail and an end to alleged prison restrictions on his mail, calls and visits.
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newslettersThe Metropolitan Police said on Saturday that they had detained protesters on suspicion of aggravated trespass, accusing them of refusing to leave the prison grounds and blocking prison staff from entering and leaving.
Last week, Khalid told Middle East Eye via an intermediary: "After witnessing the level to which the government allowed [the hunger strikers] to deteriorate, it’s clear that they do not value our lives, and our suffering does not affect them."
Second hunger strikeKhalid halted a previous hunger strike after his health deteriorated rapidly 12 days in, as he suffers from muscular dystrophy, a rare genetic condition that causes worsening muscle weakness.
He said that the prison authorities have since been heavily restricting his personal mail, calls and visits.
Khalid also reported that he had received just one visit, a postcard and two emails in three weeks.
Last Palestine Action-linked hunger striker to launch ‘thirst strike’
Read More »A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said on Sunday: "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."