London Police Arrest Dozens at Palestine Action Ban Protest in Parliament Square

On Saturday, London witnessed a large and tense demonstration in Parliament Square as protesters gathered to oppose the UK government’s designation of Palestine Action as a proscribed terrorist organization. Organized by the group Defend Our Juries, the protest drew around 1,500 participants, many holding signs reading “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”

Police responded swiftly, arresting approximately 150 people under the Terrorism Act for showing support for the banned group and, in some cases, for assaulting officers. The scene quickly turned chaotic, with clashes erupting as officers attempted to control the crowd, drawing batons, escorting protesters away, and handling physical resistance. Officers reported facing an “exceptional level of abuse,” including spitting, projectiles, and verbal threats.

The arrests sparked outrage from civil liberties groups. Critics, including Amnesty International, warned that treating expressions of support for Palestine Action in such a way risked undermining fundamental rights to protest and free speech. Many of the arrested were elderly or disabled, drawing particular attention to the severity of the law’s application. Organizers encouraged protesters to obscure their identities to slow police processing efforts.

This protest underscores growing unease over the government's expanding use of counterterrorism laws to curb political expression. While authorities maintain that such measures are necessary to safeguard national security, opponents argue the approach blurs lines between activism and criminality raising urgent questions about the future of dissent in Britain.

Sources: The Guardian, AP News, Reuters