MLAs have condemned the police for its response, saying it is part of a “regressive clampdown”.
It follows the British government introducing legislation to outlaw Palestine Action, with membership carrying a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said violence and criminal damage had no place in legitimate protest, and Palestine Action’s activities, including breaking into an RAF base and spraying two aircraft with red paint, justified the ban.
Palestine Action has increasingly targeted Israel-linked companies in Britain.
It accuses the government of complicity in Israeli war crimes and genocide in Gaza.
The arrest occurred against the backdrop of what has been branded a “far-right racist” protest outside a hotel in Belfast city centre. At least one man was also detained by police.
Some of those who were organisers of the anti-immigration protest have a Facebook page called The Great Province-Wide Protest NI and staged this demonstration after holding one at a hotel in Newtownabbey last weekend.
They have denied being racist and have said they are raising genuine concerns about immigration.
Stephen Baker said Saturday’s protest outside the Ten Square Hotel was staged because it has the same owners as the Chimney Corner Hotel in Newtownabbey which they have concerns about people being housed in.
He also made a series of unsubstantiated claims on social media about men he said were residing in the Chimney Corner Hotel. According to the hotel’s website, the premises are “currently closed to the general public”.
Several dozen anti asylum seeker protestors gathered outside a Belfast hotel. Photo by Press Eye.
He concluded: “At what point do we say, ‘no’, and end this… I need your support folks, I need your back up. Let’s show these lefties that we own these streets.”
Speaking after a counter-demonstration outside the hotel, People Before Profit MLA, Gerry Carroll, said: “Once again, Belfast has turned out en masse to show far right, racist agitators that their hateful rhetoric has no place in our city.
General view of counter-protestors who gather in opposition against a protest in Belfast city centre behind Belfast City Hall. Several dozen anti asylum seeker protestors gathered outside a Belfast hotel. Photo by Press Eye.
“Today, this racist mob attempted to move their hate fest from Chimney Corner back into Belfast city centre.
“Their aim was to stir up fear and hatred towards innocent people seeking asylum, including children.
“Unsurprisingly, they were outnumbered by a crowd of hundreds, who reaffirmed the message that Belfast should be a safe and welcoming place for all.
Patrick Corrigan from Amnesty International in Belfast as counter-protestors gather in opposition against a protest in Belfast city centre behind Belfast City Hall. Several dozen anti asylum seeker protestors gathered outside a Belfast hotel. Photo by Press Eye.
“These racist grifters have nothing to offer working class communities, except hatred and division.
“Each time they attempt to mobilise and invite violence, all of us have a duty to stand up and challenge it.”
He also commented on the arrest of one person and caution of two other activists for wearing ‘Palestine Action’ t-shirts at the anti-racist counter-demonstration.
“The whole world can see the mass starvation and daily executions carried out by Israel, yet the people being harassed in Belfast are those who stand up for Palestine,” Mr Carroll said.
“On the same day we saw far-right protesters with offensive and provocative signage, including pro-Israel items, the police took it upon themselves to arrest activists for having the temerity to wear items of clothing in solidarity action.
“The British government implemented a regressive clampdown with their vote to proscribe Palestine Action, without a single vote being cast in the local Assembly.”
“I’m calling on Executive Ministers to speak up for the right to protest, organise for peace and to have these charges thrown out. “
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan has slammed the government’s attempts to criminalise the Palestinian solidarity movement.
He was speaking after the PSNI “arrested a woman in her 60s in Belfast peacefully protesting against Israel’s ongoing genocide”.
Mr Sheehan said: “The British government’s attempts to criminalise the Palestinian solidarity movement, and the subsequent actions of the PSNI in enforcing this draconian legislation, have been disgraceful.
“While Keir Starmer continues to enable the ongoing Israeli genocide and starvation of Gazans, he is also moving to silence ordinary, decent people for speaking out.
“Just yesterday, Netanyahu announced his intention to seize Gaza City. Yet still, Starmer provides cover for this rogue regime, instead targeting activists for highlighting what should be a universal moral outrage.
“Like all previous censorship attempts by the British government, which is totally out of step with the wider public, this too will fail.
“Highlighting the ongoing devastation in Gaza is not a crime. The real crime is Israel’s policy of ethnic cleansing and genocide, aided and abetted by the US and Britain.”
Ten Square Hotel was contacted for comment