Paul O’Connell
@pmpoc.bsky.social
socialist | trade unionist | legal academic | foghlaimeoir Gaeilge | denouncing the abyss
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
A little preview of my forthcoming journal article on council tenants' resistance and resilience today in @scotnational.bsky.social. Massive thanks to @charlielynch.bsky.social for reaching out and giving my work a write-up.
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
Resistance and resilience: Digging into Edinburgh's history of tenant activism
NEW research has highlighted the resistance and resilience among tenants in council housing in Edinburgh
www.thenational.scot
January 13, 2026 at 11:18 AM
A little preview of my forthcoming journal article on council tenants' resistance and resilience today in @scotnational.bsky.social. Massive thanks to @charlielynch.bsky.social for reaching out and giving my work a write-up.
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
@britishacademy.bsky.social International Fellowships are now open
Applics. welcome across humanities & soc.sci from early career researchers anywhere in the world to come to UK for 2 years
Deadline:11 March
I’d be very pleased to host ECRs keen to study #protest #policing #publicorder #assembly
Applics. welcome across humanities & soc.sci from early career researchers anywhere in the world to come to UK for 2 years
Deadline:11 March
I’d be very pleased to host ECRs keen to study #protest #policing #publicorder #assembly
International Fellowships 2026
The International Fellowships Programme enables researchers to work for two years at a UK institution with the aim of building a globally connected, mobile research and innovation workforce.
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
January 16, 2026 at 8:04 AM
@britishacademy.bsky.social International Fellowships are now open
Applics. welcome across humanities & soc.sci from early career researchers anywhere in the world to come to UK for 2 years
Deadline:11 March
I’d be very pleased to host ECRs keen to study #protest #policing #publicorder #assembly
Applics. welcome across humanities & soc.sci from early career researchers anywhere in the world to come to UK for 2 years
Deadline:11 March
I’d be very pleased to host ECRs keen to study #protest #policing #publicorder #assembly
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
Three UK hunger strikers end their hunger strike after the MoD meets one of their demands: The MoD has denied a major new £2 billion contract with the Israeli defence firm's subsidiary, Elbit Systems UK, for an Army training program..
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Three Palestine Action protesters end their hunger strike
Four more who had paused opt not to continue after government opts against giving contract to Elbit Systems UK
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2026 at 11:12 PM
Three UK hunger strikers end their hunger strike after the MoD meets one of their demands: The MoD has denied a major new £2 billion contract with the Israeli defence firm's subsidiary, Elbit Systems UK, for an Army training program..
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
Excellent from Paul O'Connell: "Terrorism now performs the function that treason once did: not a description of actual conduct but a mechanism for foreclosing political possibility."
"Naming this as anticipatory repression ... is a precondition for building the solidarities and organisational forms capable of withstanding it. They who sow pestilence must reap whirlwinds" - criticallegalthinking.com/2026/01/12/c...
Cadaverous Tranquillity: Proscription, Anticipatory Repression and Coleridge
In December 1795, William Pitt’s government introduced the Treasonable Practices Bill and the Seditious Meetings Bill—the “Gagging Acts” as their
criticallegalthinking.com
January 12, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Excellent from Paul O'Connell: "Terrorism now performs the function that treason once did: not a description of actual conduct but a mechanism for foreclosing political possibility."
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
A really interesting and thoughtful piece by @pmpoc.bsky.social - perhaps more so for its discussion and dissecting of what he wonderfully terms the “siege architecture” around the right to protest and organise in the UK today
Paul O’Connell: Anticipatory Repression and the Proscription of Palestine Action
The proscription of Palestine Action in July 2025 represents more than an aggressive application of counter-terrorism law. It reveals a broader, qualitative shift in the British state’s approach to…
ukconstitutionallaw.org
January 12, 2026 at 3:22 PM
A really interesting and thoughtful piece by @pmpoc.bsky.social - perhaps more so for its discussion and dissecting of what he wonderfully terms the “siege architecture” around the right to protest and organise in the UK today
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
And like buses, two pieces at once on protest, proscription and political participation by @pmpoc.bsky.social
"Naming this as anticipatory repression ... is a precondition for building the solidarities and organisational forms capable of withstanding it. They who sow pestilence must reap whirlwinds" - criticallegalthinking.com/2026/01/12/c...
Cadaverous Tranquillity: Proscription, Anticipatory Repression and Coleridge
In December 1795, William Pitt’s government introduced the Treasonable Practices Bill and the Seditious Meetings Bill—the “Gagging Acts” as their
criticallegalthinking.com
January 12, 2026 at 3:23 PM
And like buses, two pieces at once on protest, proscription and political participation by @pmpoc.bsky.social
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
I have a post out today on the proscription of Palestine Action and how, through the lens of anticipatory repression, we can understand it as part of a much wider assault on democratic rights and freedoms in Britain: ukconstitutionallaw.org/2026/01/12/p...
Paul O’Connell: Anticipatory Repression and the Proscription of Palestine Action
The proscription of Palestine Action in July 2025 represents more than an aggressive application of counter-terrorism law. It reveals a broader, qualitative shift in the British state’s approach to…
ukconstitutionallaw.org
January 12, 2026 at 9:38 AM
I have a post out today on the proscription of Palestine Action and how, through the lens of anticipatory repression, we can understand it as part of a much wider assault on democratic rights and freedoms in Britain: ukconstitutionallaw.org/2026/01/12/p...
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
"Naming this as anticipatory repression ... is a precondition for building the solidarities and organisational forms capable of withstanding it. They who sow pestilence must reap whirlwinds" - criticallegalthinking.com/2026/01/12/c...
Cadaverous Tranquillity: Proscription, Anticipatory Repression and Coleridge
In December 1795, William Pitt’s government introduced the Treasonable Practices Bill and the Seditious Meetings Bill—the “Gagging Acts” as their
criticallegalthinking.com
January 12, 2026 at 1:45 PM
"Naming this as anticipatory repression ... is a precondition for building the solidarities and organisational forms capable of withstanding it. They who sow pestilence must reap whirlwinds" - criticallegalthinking.com/2026/01/12/c...
"Naming this as anticipatory repression ... is a precondition for building the solidarities and organisational forms capable of withstanding it. They who sow pestilence must reap whirlwinds" - criticallegalthinking.com/2026/01/12/c...
Cadaverous Tranquillity: Proscription, Anticipatory Repression and Coleridge
In December 1795, William Pitt’s government introduced the Treasonable Practices Bill and the Seditious Meetings Bill—the “Gagging Acts” as their
criticallegalthinking.com
January 12, 2026 at 1:45 PM
"Naming this as anticipatory repression ... is a precondition for building the solidarities and organisational forms capable of withstanding it. They who sow pestilence must reap whirlwinds" - criticallegalthinking.com/2026/01/12/c...
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
Paul O’Connell: Anticipatory Repression and the Proscription of Palestine Action ukconstitutionallaw.org/2026/01/12/p...
Paul O’Connell: Anticipatory Repression and the Proscription of Palestine Action
The proscription of Palestine Action in July 2025 represents more than an aggressive application of counter-terrorism law. It reveals a broader, qualitative shift in the British state’s approach to…
ukconstitutionallaw.org
January 12, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Paul O’Connell: Anticipatory Repression and the Proscription of Palestine Action ukconstitutionallaw.org/2026/01/12/p...
I have a post out today on the proscription of Palestine Action and how, through the lens of anticipatory repression, we can understand it as part of a much wider assault on democratic rights and freedoms in Britain: ukconstitutionallaw.org/2026/01/12/p...
Paul O’Connell: Anticipatory Repression and the Proscription of Palestine Action
The proscription of Palestine Action in July 2025 represents more than an aggressive application of counter-terrorism law. It reveals a broader, qualitative shift in the British state’s approach to…
ukconstitutionallaw.org
January 12, 2026 at 9:38 AM
I have a post out today on the proscription of Palestine Action and how, through the lens of anticipatory repression, we can understand it as part of a much wider assault on democratic rights and freedoms in Britain: ukconstitutionallaw.org/2026/01/12/p...
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
Always a welcome way to end a week but especially first week back: submission of a chapter
This 9,000-worder, written with my splendid UEA colleague @crwerren.bsky.social, will be in an edited collection "Human Rights in the UK under the Conservatives" by Conall Murray & Adam Ramshaw later in 2026
This 9,000-worder, written with my splendid UEA colleague @crwerren.bsky.social, will be in an edited collection "Human Rights in the UK under the Conservatives" by Conall Murray & Adam Ramshaw later in 2026
January 9, 2026 at 4:12 PM
Always a welcome way to end a week but especially first week back: submission of a chapter
This 9,000-worder, written with my splendid UEA colleague @crwerren.bsky.social, will be in an edited collection "Human Rights in the UK under the Conservatives" by Conall Murray & Adam Ramshaw later in 2026
This 9,000-worder, written with my splendid UEA colleague @crwerren.bsky.social, will be in an edited collection "Human Rights in the UK under the Conservatives" by Conall Murray & Adam Ramshaw later in 2026
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
Al-Haq calls for concrete measures in response to these latest restrictive measures by Israel.
Words of condemnation have proven insufficient to protect Palestinians.
@alhaq.bsky.social
Words of condemnation have proven insufficient to protect Palestinians.
@alhaq.bsky.social
December 31, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Al-Haq calls for concrete measures in response to these latest restrictive measures by Israel.
Words of condemnation have proven insufficient to protect Palestinians.
@alhaq.bsky.social
Words of condemnation have proven insufficient to protect Palestinians.
@alhaq.bsky.social
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
Israel not only inflicts pain, hunger, death & destruction on the Palestinians, it also prevents any aid & relief from reaching its victims. There are no limits to its depravity.
List of aid groups working in Gaza that Israel is suspending
#humanRights #booksky #Gaza
@mommunism.bsky.social
List of aid groups working in Gaza that Israel is suspending
#humanRights #booksky #Gaza
@mommunism.bsky.social
List of aid groups working in Gaza that Israel is suspending
Israel says it's suspending humanitarian organizations that have failed to meet its new rules to vet international groups working in Gaza.
apnews.com
December 31, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Israel not only inflicts pain, hunger, death & destruction on the Palestinians, it also prevents any aid & relief from reaching its victims. There are no limits to its depravity.
List of aid groups working in Gaza that Israel is suspending
#humanRights #booksky #Gaza
@mommunism.bsky.social
List of aid groups working in Gaza that Israel is suspending
#humanRights #booksky #Gaza
@mommunism.bsky.social
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
Behind the charts in the WIR 2026 is a blunt truth: the global economy extracts value from poorer countries to sustain the wealth of richer ones. That’s not misfortune, or a glitch- it's modern imperialism at work, and this fundamentally undermines all human rights
December 12, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Behind the charts in the WIR 2026 is a blunt truth: the global economy extracts value from poorer countries to sustain the wealth of richer ones. That’s not misfortune, or a glitch- it's modern imperialism at work, and this fundamentally undermines all human rights
Behind the charts in the WIR 2026 is a blunt truth: the global economy extracts value from poorer countries to sustain the wealth of richer ones. That’s not misfortune, or a glitch- it's modern imperialism at work, and this fundamentally undermines all human rights
December 12, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Behind the charts in the WIR 2026 is a blunt truth: the global economy extracts value from poorer countries to sustain the wealth of richer ones. That’s not misfortune, or a glitch- it's modern imperialism at work, and this fundamentally undermines all human rights
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
A disgraceful institution heaping shame on itself by seeking to impose a double pay deduction for taking lawful strike action, a protected human right, in pursuit of collective grievances
How low can these places sink into the moral vacuum?
Yet another place to avoid …with fewer & fewer left
How low can these places sink into the moral vacuum?
Yet another place to avoid …with fewer & fewer left
University of Sheffield staff 'intimidated' by pay forfeit warning
University of Sheffield to withhold pay if staff do not make up for teaching missed while striking.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 12:02 AM
A disgraceful institution heaping shame on itself by seeking to impose a double pay deduction for taking lawful strike action, a protected human right, in pursuit of collective grievances
How low can these places sink into the moral vacuum?
Yet another place to avoid …with fewer & fewer left
How low can these places sink into the moral vacuum?
Yet another place to avoid …with fewer & fewer left
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
Important and timely new article by @msjamshidi.bsky.social out today from the University of Minnesota Law Review: Securitizing the University. Open access.
minnesotalawreview.org/article/secu...
minnesotalawreview.org/article/secu...
Securitizing the University lawreview - Minnesota Law Review
By MARYAM JAMSHIDI. Full Text. Since October 7, 2023, public and private actors have doubled down on efforts to securitize the American university. In large part, these initiatives aim to quash a voca...
minnesotalawreview.org
December 1, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Important and timely new article by @msjamshidi.bsky.social out today from the University of Minnesota Law Review: Securitizing the University. Open access.
minnesotalawreview.org/article/secu...
minnesotalawreview.org/article/secu...
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
Part of my evidence put before the court today attests to the unique nature of the proscription based on some research I conducted, and part speaks to the chilling effect on academic teaching and research in the area
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Palestine Action like the Suffragettes, court told
Lawyers for the group say the government's ban is unprecedented, as they launch a legal challenge.
www.bbc.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Part of my evidence put before the court today attests to the unique nature of the proscription based on some research I conducted, and part speaks to the chilling effect on academic teaching and research in the area
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
If you're around London next Thursday, I'll be giving a talk at LSE on "Imperialism, Inequality and Human Rights" for anyone interested - you can sign up to attend here: lselaw.events/event/pil-hu...
November 27, 2025 at 6:15 PM
If you're around London next Thursday, I'll be giving a talk at LSE on "Imperialism, Inequality and Human Rights" for anyone interested - you can sign up to attend here: lselaw.events/event/pil-hu...
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
Position Paper: Palestinian Civil Society Condemns UNSC Resolution 2803 Establishing Joint US-Israel Illegal Occupation of Gaza www.alhaq.org/advocacy/268...
Position Paper: Palestinian Civil Society Condemns UNSC Resolution 2803 Establishing Joint US-Israel Illegal Occupation of Gaza
Photo: Yousef Zaanoun
On Monday, 17 November 2025, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) voted in favour of Resolution 2803, normalising the colonial occupation of Palestinian territory. This re...
www.alhaq.org
November 20, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Position Paper: Palestinian Civil Society Condemns UNSC Resolution 2803 Establishing Joint US-Israel Illegal Occupation of Gaza www.alhaq.org/advocacy/268...
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
80 leading legal scholars, solicitors, and barristers have signed this letter to the Home Secretary & Attorney General criticising the proposed changes to protest law.
If you are a legal scholar or practitioner based in Britain, please consider adding your name
If you are a legal scholar or practitioner based in Britain, please consider adding your name
Over 70 legal scholars and practitioners have signed an open letter opposing the governments proposed
"cumulative impact" measure, as an unwarranted attack on the right to protest - if you wish to add your name to the letter you can do so here: forms.gle/VXhwMtwhZhof...
"cumulative impact" measure, as an unwarranted attack on the right to protest - if you wish to add your name to the letter you can do so here: forms.gle/VXhwMtwhZhof...
November 20, 2025 at 3:04 PM
80 leading legal scholars, solicitors, and barristers have signed this letter to the Home Secretary & Attorney General criticising the proposed changes to protest law.
If you are a legal scholar or practitioner based in Britain, please consider adding your name
If you are a legal scholar or practitioner based in Britain, please consider adding your name