Over 300 Arrested at London Protest Supporting Banned Palestine Action Group
Demonstrators gathered outside the U.S. embassy to voice opposition to the group's proscription under terrorism legislation.
More than 300 people were arrested during a protest in London on Saturday supporting the banned Palestine Action group outside the U.S. embassy, police reported. Hundreds gathered at Nine Elms, with many carrying signs expressing opposition to genocide and support for Palestine Action.
The Metropolitan Police announced Sunday that 325 arrests were made, with 320 attributed to "expressing support for a proscribed organisation under the Terrorism Act." This brings the total number of arrests related to the group, which was proscribed in July 2025, to over 4,000.
The UK Supreme Court is scheduled to review the ban on Palestine Action under terrorism legislation, following a successful appeal by the group's co-founder. The Home Office has stated its intention to vigorously contest this appeal.
Officers made arrests throughout Saturday, transferring demonstrators to police vans. Some protesters observed, and some chanted slogans like "Free, free Palestine." Reports indicate that officers had to carry some demonstrators who refused to leave voluntarily.
Retired lawyer Charles Allison, who traveled from Cumbria to attend, expressed concern for civil liberties, which he believes are being "devalued and watered down." He stated his hope that the Supreme Court justices would consider the long-term implications and rule the proscription unlawful.
David Bolden, another protester, described the ban as an "absurd law." The group Defend Our Juries, which has organized protests against the ban, characterized the weekend's detentions as contributing to a "truly dystopian" total of over 4,000 arrests since the group was proscribed.
According to Home Office figures, 3,630 arrests were made in the year ending June 2026. Combined with 134 arrests outside Westminster Magistrates Court earlier this year and Saturday's detentions, the total number of arrests reaches 4,089. The BBC has reached out to the Metropolitan Police for their confirmed figures.
Amnesty International UK has criticized the arrests and urged the government to drop the proscription of Palestine Action. Defend Our Juries also condemned the arrests as "unjust" and an infringement on free speech.