Nearly 900 Arrested in London Protest Against Palestine Action Ban

Nearly 900 individuals were arrested during a protest in Westminster, London, opposing the classification of Palestine Action as a terrorist organization. The Metropolitan Police reported that approximately 1,500 demonstrators gathered in Parliament Square on Saturday, expressing their outrage over the government’s decision. The police condemned the behavior directed at their officers during the event, labeling it “intolerable.”

Organizers from the campaign group Defend Our Juries (DOJ) described the gathering as “the picture of peaceful protest.” The police confirmed a total of 890 arrests, with 857 arrests linked to support for the proscribed group, while an additional 33 individuals faced charges for assaulting officers and other public order offenses.

The controversial ban on Palestine Action was enacted in July after the group claimed responsibility for damaging two Voyager planes at RAF Brize Norton on June 20, 2025. Since the ban, over 700 individuals have been arrested across the UK for expressing support for the organization, including notable incidents at various protests. Just last month, a 74-year-old woman wearing a Palestine Action t-shirt was arrested and later released in Belfast.

Palestine Action is prohibited under the Terrorism Act 2000, a law that also targets groups such as Isis, the Russian mercenary Wagner Group, and white supremacist organizations like The Base. Despite this, the activist group has received approval from the UK High Court to challenge the ban, with a hearing scheduled for later this month.

The events in London reflect a significant moment in the ongoing debate over civil liberties and the government’s approach to dissenting voices. As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications of these protests and the actions taken by law enforcement will likely be closely scrutinized by both supporters and critics of Palestine Action.