LONDON – A mass demonstration in London against the UK government’s recent ban on the activist group ‘Palestine Action’ has resulted in more than 500 arrests, according to updated figures from the Metropolitan Police. The protest in Parliament Square on Saturday saw hundreds of people intentionally defy a new law that criminalizes public support for the proscribed organization.
Police confirmed that 522 arrests were made, with 519 of these specifically for displaying placards and signs in support of Palestine Action, which is now considered a criminal offense under the UK’s Terrorism Act. The demonstration was organized by the group ‘Defend Our Juries’ to challenge the ban, with participants holding signs that read, “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” Organizers have claimed this to be one of the largest mass arrests at a single protest in the capital in a decade.
The UK government’s decision to ban Palestine Action came into force in early July, following a series of direct actions by the group, including a high-profile incident in which activists allegedly caused extensive damage to military planes at a Royal Air Force base. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has defended the ban, citing “strong security advice” and describing the group’s activities as involving “violence, significant injuries, and extensive criminal damage.”
The arrests have been met with swift condemnation from human rights groups. Amnesty International UK’s chief executive, Sacha Deshmukh, described the arrests as “disproportionate to the point of absurdity,” arguing that treating peaceful protesters as terrorists is an overreach. The organization and other critics maintain that the ban and subsequent arrests infringe on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
The police have stated that many of those arrested were released on bail with conditions that they do not attend further Palestine Action support events. The average age of those detained was 54, with a significant number of people over the age of 60 among those arrested.
