Police make arrests at Palestine Action ban protests

Police are arresting protesters in London at a demonstration in support of proscribed group Palestine Action.

More than 100 people simultaneously unveiled placards with the same message “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action” at the protest, organised by Defend Our Juries at Westminster’s Parliament Square.

The government proscribed the Palestine Action group in July under the Terrorism Act of 2000, making membership of or support for the group a criminal offence, punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

In the hours before the protest, the Metropolitan Police had issued a statement saying: “Anyone showing support for the group can expect to be arrested.”

Footage from the square showed officers moving among the protesters, who were mainly seated on the ground, and speaking to them before leading them away.

On X, the Met Police issued a statement saying a “significant number of people are displaying placards expressing support for Palestine Action.

“Officers have moved in and are making arrests.”

The protest comes just days after the first three people to be charged with supporting the group in England and Wales were named.

The Metropolitan Police said it had drawn officers in from other forces to help form a “significant policing presence” in the capital as it faces a busy weekend.

As well as the protest by Palestine Action, two marches have been organised by Palestine Coalition and pro-Israeli group Stop the Hate and will be held on consecutive days in central London.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan warned ahead of Saturday’s protest that “anyone showing support for Palestine Action can expect to be arrested” and urged people to “consider the seriousness of that outcome.”

More than 200 people have been arrested across the country for similar reasons since the ban was implemented by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper last month.

Last week, two women and a man were also charged with showing support for a proscribed terror group. They are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 16 September, the Metropolitan Police said.

MPs voted to proscribe the group after activists broke into RAF Brize Norton in June, spraying two Voyager aircraft with red paint and causing £7m worth of damage. Palestine Action took responsibility for the incident at the time.

A Home Office spokesperson said the decision to proscribe the group was based on “strong security advice” following “serious attacks the group had committed, involving violence, significant injuries and extensive criminal damage”.