Mass Arrests at London Demonstration
More than 200 individuals have been arrested during a protest against the ban on Palestine Action in central London, according to the Metropolitan Police.
The police stated that arrests were made when participants showed support for a proscribed organisation.
Details of the Protest
Hundreds gathered in Trafalgar Square, many holding signs supporting the group, including slogans such as "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action," which have been displayed at previous protests organised by the group.
The event, held on Saturday and named Everyone Day, was organised by Defend our Juries. The group described the demonstration as a display of the "unwaning resistance to the ban on Palestine Action."
Other placards featured slogans supporting the right to protest and expressing opposition to the US and Israel.
Legal Context and Police Response
Supporting Palestine Action became illegal in July 2025 after the government banned the group under anti-terror legislation.
Although the ban was ruled unlawful in February, it remained in place pending an appeal.
Following the High Court judgement, the Metropolitan Police had indicated officers would be unlikely to make arrests related to support for the group. However, in March, the police announced they would resume arresting protesters for such support.
Prior to Saturday's demonstration, the Metropolitan Police issued a statement warning of "criminal offences" and urged attendees to consider the "potential consequences" of participating.
"Those attending should be aware that showing support for a proscribed organisation is an offence under the Terrorism Act, and we will not hesitate to act where the law is broken," said commander Claire Smart, who is leading policing operations in London this weekend.
Protesters' Perspectives
Some participants told they were prepared to risk arrest.
Linda Walker said she decided to come down to the protest because "there's been a genocide going on for the last two and a half years."
"The only people [the government] are willing to take action against are the people trying to stop it," she added.
Another demonstrator informed the BBC that she had been arrested 10 times previously and anticipated a similar outcome at this event.
Arrest Figures and Legal Proceedings
At 16:50 BST, the Metropolitan Police reported having made 212 arrests, with actions continuing "where people are showing support for a proscribed organisation."
Since the ban under the Terrorism Act 2000 last summer by then-Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, over 2,200 people have been arrested for allegedly expressing support for Palestine Action.
The trials of hundreds accused of holding up related placards have been paused while the legal dispute over the group's ban proceeds.
