Five arrested in blockade of UK Foreign Office

Five demonstrators were arrested in London on Aug. 21 after staging a two-hour "blockade" of the British Foreign Office in protest against the government's stance over the Israel-Lebanon conflict. Up to 50 peace activists attempted to prevent workers from entering the Whitehall department, protesting under the banner "Blood on your desks." They also spilt fake blood, resulting in the arrests, which were on suspicion of causing a criminal damage. However, one organizer, who did not wish to be named, admitted that the recent UN-brokered ceasefire in the crisis may have caused a drop in the numbers attending the protest. But he added: "I think most [demonstrators] realized the Lebanon situation is just part of a bigger picture of UK foreign policy across Afghanistan and the Middle East." Although civil servants were shipped into the building through another entrance, the organizer said: "The point was to disrupt their journey into work and direct the message to people sat at their desks to think about what they are doing." Leaflets were given to employees as they entered the building, and a troupe of male and female Palestinian refugees performed a dance before the protest ended. It was unauthorized under the Serious Organized Crime Act, which requires demonstrators to seek police permission in advance before staging demonstrations within 0.6 miles of parliament. A police spokesman confirmed five arrests under suspicion of criminal damage and also put the number of protesters at around 50. A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We were aware in advance of the demonstration and it did not cause any disruption to our staff." The "blockade" began at the King Charles Road entrance before moving around the corner to the main entrance of the Foreign Office. Natalie Walker, a demonstrator taking part in the blockade, said: "While individuals may make meek protestations against the violence, as a department the Foreign Office is central to the continuation of these brutal wars and the human suffering they bring. "We're disrupting their work today to make it clear that we will not stand by passively while our government supports the massacre of thousands of people."