LONDON; London police detained hundreds of demonstrators on Saturday during a protest backing Palestine Action, a group declared a “terrorist organisation” by the UK government last month.
The Metropolitan Police said 466 people were arrested at Parliament Square by 9pm local time (20:00 GMT) for “showing support” for the banned group. Officers warned earlier on social media that “anyone expressing support” for Palestine Action would be arrested.
Footage online showed protesters being removed while holding placards reading, “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” Organisers from Defend Our Juries said the demonstration opposed both “the genocide in Gaza” and the ban on the group.
Critics argue that outlawing Palestine Action under the UK’s Terrorism Act 2000, which makes membership or support punishable by up to 14 years in prison, is an attack on free speech and the right to protest.
Al Jazeera’s Sonia Gallego reported from the scene that the threat of arrest “hasn’t deterred supporters,” noting that even wearing a T-shirt or holding paper with the words “I support Palestine Action” could lead to detention.
Several protesters expressed outrage over the arrests. “If we can’t sit quietly with seven words on a sign, then what does freedom of speech mean?” asked attendee Paddy Friend. Another, Manji Mansfield, said, “This isn’t the Britain I grew up in… I’m not going to accept it.”
Since the ban took effect in July, over 200 people had already been arrested at protests nationwide. This week, more than 350 academics worldwide signed an open letter denouncing the ban’s “repressive consequences” and warning of its impact on universities.
On Saturday, a separate march organised by the Palestine Coalition was also held in London. One participant was arrested for carrying a banner supporting Palestine Action.
Amnesty International UK condemned the arrests as a breach of Britain’s international human rights obligations. Labour MP John McDonnell called the situation “a disgrace,” accusing authorities of undermining democratic rights.
Palestine Action has targeted Israel-linked companies in the UK through direct actions such as blocking entrances, spraying red paint, and damaging equipment. The group accuses the government of enabling Israeli war crimes in Gaza.
The government moved to ban the group after activists broke into a military airbase in June and damaged two Airbus Voyager aircraft used for air-to-air refuelling. The group claims the planes have been used to support Israeli fighter jets via routes through a UK base in Cyprus.
