Over 50 Palestine Action Protesters Arrested in Central London Demonstration

Over 50 Arrested in London for Supporting Banned Group Palestine Action During Protests.

More than 50 people were arrested in London’s Parliament Square on Saturday for displaying support for Palestine Action, a group recently banned by the UK government under terrorism laws. Demonstrations were held in multiple cities—including Manchester, Edinburgh, and Bristol—after the group was officially proscribed. In London, protesters carried signs saying, “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action,” prompting police action.

According to the Metropolitan Police, 55 individuals were detained under Section 13 of the UK’s Terrorism Act, which makes it a criminal offence to support a proscribed organisation. Those convicted under this section can face up to six years in prison.

Additional arrests were made in Truro, Cornwall (8 people), and Manchester, where similar acts of support were observed. The protests were backed by activist network Defend Our Juries, which claimed that over 120 people have been arrested across the UK in recent weeks for expressing solidarity with Palestine Action.

The Home Office banned Palestine Action after its members broke into RAF Brize Norton on June 20, allegedly causing over £7 million in damages to military aircraft. As per the ban, public backing or membership of the group could now result in up to 14 years of imprisonment. Even wearing clothing with the group’s name could carry a six-month jail sentence.

A High Court hearing on whether the ban can be judicially reviewed is scheduled for Monday in London.