London, United Kingdom – British police have arrested approximately 890 individuals participating in a protest supporting the banned group Palestine Action in London.
The Metropolitan Police stated that 857 people were detained under the Terrorism Act for showing support for a proscribed group, while 33 others were arrested for alleged assaults on officers and public order offenses.
The protest, organized by Defend Our Juries, aimed to challenge the UK government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act 2000.
Organizers maintained that the demonstration was nonviolent, while police claimed to have faced “co-ordinated” violence. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Claire Smart emphasized that individuals can express their support for a cause without resorting to violence and disorder.
Among those arrested were vicars, priests, war veterans, descendants of Holocaust survivors, retired teachers, and healthcare workers. If convicted, the majority face up to six months in prison, while organizers could face sentences of up to 14 years for supporting a proscribed organization.
UN human rights experts have raised concerns about the “unjustified labeling of a political protest movement as terrorist,” arguing that acts of protest damaging property but not intended to harm people should not be treated as terrorism.
Palestine Action’s co-founder, Huda Ammori, has launched a legal challenge against the ban, claiming it unlawfully criminalizes political dissent.
The protests coincide with Israel’s intensified assault on Gaza, described by academics, rights groups, and UN experts as a genocide. Reports indicate British forces have been flying surveillance drones over Gaza in support of Israeli operations.
The UK government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action has sparked debates on freedom of speech and the use of counter-terrorism laws to suppress peaceful activism.
The protests in London were organized by Defend Our Juries, a campaign group challenging the UK government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act 2000.
Palestine Action was banned after claiming responsibility for damaging military planes at a Royal Air Force base, which the group said was a protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The Metropolitan Police took a strict approach, arresting nearly 900 people, including 857 on suspicion of showing support for a proscribed group and 33 for alleged assaults on officers.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Claire Smart stated that officers faced “co-ordinated” violence and emphasized that individuals can express their support for a cause without resorting to violence and disorder.
Defend Our Juries rejected police claims of violence, stating that video footage shows police violently arresting people. Human rights groups have criticized the ban on Palestine Action, arguing it limits freedom of expression for peaceful protesters. The UN human rights experts raised concerns about the “unjustified labelling of a political protest movement as terrorist”.
Hence, stating that video footage shows police violently arresting people. Human rights groups have criticized the ban on Palestine Action, arguing it limits freedom of expression for peaceful protesters. The UN human rights experts raised concerns about the “unjustified labelling of a political protest movement as terrorist”.
The proscription of Palestine Action puts the group in the same category as al-Qaeda and Islamic State, making it a crime to support or belong to the organization, punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
The UK government is appealing a High Court ruling allowing Palestine Action’s co-founder to pursue a legal challenge against the ban.