Over 425 Arrested in London Protest Against Palestine Action Ban

Over 425 Arrested in London Protest Against Palestine Action Ban
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More than 425 people were arrested in London during the largest protest to date against the government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action, according to a report by The Guardian. The demonstration was organized by Defend Our Juries and drew an estimated 1,500 participants in Parliament Square on Saturday.

Protesters held signs declaring opposition to genocide and support for Palestine Action, with arrests beginning shortly after the event started at 1 p.m. By the evening, the Metropolitan Police confirmed more than 425 arrests. Officers said they faced assaults, including being kicked, punched, spat on, and having objects thrown at them, describing such behavior as unacceptable during the enforcement of terrorism legislation.

Defend Our Juries, however, rejected the police account, accusing officers of using unnecessary force against peaceful demonstrators, including elderly participants. Organizers shared videos showing protesters being pushed to the ground and argued that the government’s decision to outlaw Palestine Action represents an attack on civil liberties.

According to The Guardian, the demonstration remained largely peaceful, though there were tense confrontations on the edges of the square. Officers used batons while moving through crowds to remove detainees, and several protesters were injured in the process. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as some individuals were knocked to the ground during clashes.

Many protesters openly challenged the ban on Palestine Action, questioning whether its designation under terrorism laws was justified. They argued that the legislation was being misapplied to silence dissent and criminalize nonviolent political activism. Critics insisted the government was wasting resources on mass arrests that would prove difficult to process.

Human rights groups also condemned the crackdown. Amnesty International called the arrests disproportionate and warned that treating peaceful demonstrators as terrorists risked undermining fundamental freedoms. The organization stressed that freedom of expression should only be restricted when there is incitement to violence or hate speech, criteria not met by the signs displayed at the rally.

The protest attracted a broad range of participants, including long-time activists and first-time demonstrators. Some held banners linking the action to wider historical struggles, while others highlighted family connections to past conflicts. Organizers said the turnout demonstrated public opposition to the ban and determination to continue challenging it.

This was the busiest protest so far against the proscription of Palestine Action, surpassing a similar event last month in which more than 500 arrests were made. Observers noted that the demonstration underscored the deepening debate in the UK over civil liberties, counterterrorism laws, and public opposition to the government’s stance on Palestine.