Police arrest 300 at London protest backing banned Palestine Action group
Metropolitan Police officers arrested 300 people at a protest outside the US Embassy in London, where demonstrators displayed signs supporting Palestine Action, a group banned under UK terrorism law. Most arrests were for expressing support for a proscribed organisation, an offence under the Terrorism Act; the demonstration took place ahead of a Supreme Court hearing on the ban.
Defend Our Juries organised the protest and had expected about 400 participants, though images suggested just over 100 attended. The Met said more arrests could follow as the demonstration continued and warned that organisers and people providing logistical support could also be arrested. The force said Palestine Action-related protests had cost £1.3 million to police across six events in June and July.
In short
- Met Police reported 300 arrests at a London protest.
- Demonstrators held signs supporting banned group Palestine Action.
- Protest came ahead of a Supreme Court hearing on the ban.
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The case for
Supporters of the ban argue that Parliament has proscribed Palestine Action under terrorism law and that police have a duty to enforce the resulting offence of expressing support. They may also say visible enforcement protects public safety and helps manage demonstrations linked to a group the state has judged to be involved in terrorism, while recognising that the Supreme Court hearing will examine the ban’s legality.
The case against
Opponents argue that arresting people for peaceful political expression risks chilling protest and punishing support or solidarity without evidence of involvement in violence. They contend that the ban itself should face close judicial scrutiny, and that policing costs or logistical support should not be used to deter lawful dissent before the courts have ruled.
Explained simply
Palestine Action is a pro-Palestinian protest group whose activists have targeted companies and sites linked to Israel’s arms industry. The UK government added the group to its list of proscribed organisations under terrorism law, making it a criminal offence to express support for it.
Defend Our Juries organised the London demonstration, which was held before the Supreme Court considered the ban. The court’s hearing concerns whether the government acted lawfully in proscribing the group; the outcome matters to the legal limits on protest and public support for banned organisations.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Met Police make 300 arrests at pro-Palestine Action demo as they pledge support for banned group outside US Embassy”.