Amnesty International and civil liberties campaigners on Monday criticized a court ruling upholding the UK government’s decision to ban Palestine Action, arguing that the move represents an alarming expansion of counter-terrorism powers and threatens the right to protest.

The UK Court of Appeal ruled Monday that the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organization was lawful, overturning a previous High Court ruling that found the ban breached the right to protest.

Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr said Monday that it was “not a sustainable proposition to portray Palestine Action as a non-violent organization.”