Metropolitan Police detain 365 protesters at Parliament Square amid growing backlash over UK’s ban on Palestine Action. Rights groups call it an attack on free speech.
London’s iconic Parliament Square became the epicenter of a tense standoff on Saturday as Metropolitan Police arrested hundreds during a protest in support of Palestine Action—a group officially banned by the UK government just last month. By 6 pm local time, 365 people had been detained under terrorism legislation, accused of “supporting a proscribed organisation,” while rights groups and political voices condemned the crackdown as a direct assault on democratic freedoms.
The Arrests and Police Statement
According to the Metropolitan Police, the operation was part of an ongoing enforcement drive following Palestine Action’s proscription in July under the Terrorism Act 2000. Authorities confirmed seven additional arrests for other offences, including five for assaults on officers—though no serious injuries were reported.
“It will take time, but we will arrest anyone expressing support for Palestine Action,” the force stated on X, underscoring their uncompromising approach.
Scenes from the Ground
Footage circulating on social media painted a vivid picture of the day’s events: protesters seated across the square, holding placards reading “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action”, as officers moved in to remove them one by one.
Advocacy group Defend our Juries shared updates online, describing the gathering as “a collective stand against the genocide in Gaza and the criminalisation of Palestine Action.”
Background: The Ban and Its Fallout
The ban on Palestine Action came into force in July after the group staged a high-profile break-in at a UK military airbase in June, damaging two Airbus Voyager aircraft used for refuelling missions.
Under current UK law, being a member of or expressing support for a proscribed group can carry a prison sentence of up to 14 years.
Since the ban, Al Jazeera reports that more than 200 arrests have been made at protests nationwide. This week, over 350 academics worldwide signed an open letter praising a “growing campaign of collective defiance” against Home Secretary Yvette Cooper’s decision to outlaw the group. The letter warned of the ban’s “repressive consequences” and potential chilling effect on academic freedom and political activism.
Parallel Demonstrations and Rising Dissent
On the same day as the Parliament Square arrests, a separate march organised by the Palestine Coalition saw one person detained for displaying a banner in support of Palestine Action.
Amnesty International UK criticised the heavy-handed police response, saying the detention of peaceful protesters over signs and slogans breaches the UK’s obligations to protect free speech and the right to peaceful assembly.
Labour MP John McDonnell echoed those concerns, writing on X: “It’s a disgrace that people are being arrested for upholding our democratic rights.”
Palestine Action’s Controversial Tactics
Known for its uncompromising activism, Palestine Action has targeted companies linked to Israel in the UK, often staging dramatic protests involving red paint, site blockades, and damage to equipment. While supporters see their actions as urgent moral resistance, critics—including the government—view them as dangerous and unlawful.
Saturday’s events underline a growing clash between state security measures and civil liberties in the UK. As the government doubles down on its ban of Palestine Action, the defiance of protesters—and the global attention their arrests are drawing—suggests this battle over activism, free speech, and political dissent is far from over.