British police have arrested almost 900 demonstrators in London during mass protests against the government’s ban on Palestine Action, which has been officially designated as a terrorist organisation.
Since the group was proscribed two months ago, almost 1,600 people have been detained across the UK, many for silently holding placards or signs in support of Palestine Action. Protesters say the ban is a dangerous attack on freedom of speech and the right to peaceful protest.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that 890 arrests took place during Saturday’s demonstration near Parliament. Of these, 857 were arrested under the Terrorism Act for supporting a proscribed organisation, while 33 others were detained for separate offenses, including 17 accused of assaulting police officers.
Campaign group Defend Our Juries, which organised the demonstration, said around 1,500 people joined the sit-in protest, holding signs that read: “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.”
Police officers were met with chants of “Shame on you” as they began arresting participants. Senior officers reported that some officers were punched, spat on, and attacked with objects, but organisers dismissed those claims as “laughable” and accused police of aggression.
Background to the Ban on Palestine Action
The government outlawed Palestine Action in July after activists broke into a Royal Air Force base and vandalised military aircraft in protest at Britain’s support for Israel during the Gaza war. Officials said the group had caused millions of pounds in damages by targeting defence companies and infrastructure linked to the Israeli military.
Then-Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated at the time that Palestine Action “is not a nonviolent organisation.” Proscription made it a criminal offense to support or promote the group, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 14 years.
Legal Challenge and UN Criticism
Palestine Action has been granted permission by the High Court to challenge the government’s decision, with a hearing scheduled for September 25. The case has attracted international attention, including criticism from UN human rights chief Volker Türk, who warned that counterterrorism laws were being misused to criminalise nonviolent protest.
Prominent cultural figures, including bestselling Irish author Sally Rooney, have voiced their support for Palestine Action. Co-founder Huda Ammori described the ban as “catastrophic” for civil liberties in the UK.
Wider Protests in London
Alongside the Palestine Action demonstration, police estimated that around 20,000 people took part in a separate pro-Palestinian march in London on the same day, underscoring growing public opposition to government policies on Gaza.
