London police have arrested numerous individuals during a protest supporting the group Palestine Action, which was labeled a “terror organization” by the UK government last month.
The Metropolitan Police reported that by 9 PM local time (20:00 GMT) on Saturday, 466 protesters had been detained in Parliament Square “for showing support for Palestine Action.”
Earlier, police stated on X that “it will take time, but we will arrest anyone expressing support for Palestine Action.” Footage on social media depicted officers removing protesters holding signs that stated, “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”
The advocacy group Defend Our Juries, which organized the protest, noted on X that “the people are collectively opposing the genocide in Gaza and the Palestine Action ban.” These arrests mark a continuation of protests against the government’s prohibition on Palestine Action, which critics argue undermines freedom of speech and the right to protest, particularly in light of demonstrations against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Under the Terrorism Act 2000, supporting or joining the group is now a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Al Jazeera’s Sonia Gallego reported that despite the threat of arrest, supporters of Palestine Action continued to voice their support openly. A protester highlighted that even a simple t-shirt or sign could lead to arrest.
Another protester, Paddy Friend, expressed concern about the state of freedoms in the UK, stating, “If we can’t come down with seven words on a sign and sit quietly, then what does freedom of speech mean?” A grandmother, Manji Mansfield, remonstrated against the current state of affairs, saying, “This isn’t the Britain that I grew up in.”
Ahead of Saturday’s event, more than 200 individuals were detained in a wave of protests across the UK opposing the ban that was enacted in July. Over 350 academics worldwide signed an open letter supporting the “growing campaign of collective defiance” against the government’s decision to designate Palestine Action as a terrorist organization. The letter raised concerns about the ban’s implications for universities in the UK and beyond.
