London police arrested more than 500 protesters, ranging from youth to an 87-year-old senior, for openly supporting the group "Palestine Action," which has been designated as a "prohibited organization" under anti-terrorism laws. This occurred amid ongoing legal battles over whether the ban on the group is lawful.
The Metropolitan Police arrested 523 protesters during a demonstration at Trafalgar Square opposing the UK government's declaration of "Palestine Action" as an illegal organization under anti-terrorism legislation.
Authorities stated those arrested were aged between 18 and 87, all charged with supporting a banned organization. Many protesters held signs reading "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action," directly challenging police warnings that such acts would constitute a criminal offense.
The protest, called "Everyone Day," was organized by the group "Defend Our Juries" to demonstrate unwavering opposition to the ban on Palestine Action, which was blacklisted in July 2025 after some members trespassed on an air force base to protest the UK’s support for Israel in the Gaza conflict.
Among those arrested was Robert Del Naja, founder of the legendary band Massive Attack. Before his arrest, he told media that the police reversing course to arrest citizens again was "nonsense." He viewed Palestine Action’s actions as patriotic efforts to prevent the country from being complicit in war crimes and violations of international law.
Some protesters accepted the risk of arrest, viewing their activism as defending the right to protest and expressing their stance on the situation in the Gaza Strip.
The legal status of Palestine Action remains complex. In February, the High Court ruled the ban unlawful, but the ban remains in effect pending appeal.
London police emphasized, "We will not hesitate to act if the law is broken," while Israel continues to deny allegations of genocide in Gaza, asserting its actions are self-defense.
Since the ban was imposed last summer, over 2,200 people have been arrested for supporting Palestine Action, with hundreds of cases currently on hold awaiting a legal ruling on the ban's legitimacy.
/sourceBBC