Metropolitan Police Detain 92 Protesters in Central London Demonstration
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed the arrest of 92 individuals during a mass protest in central London against the ban on the activist group Palestine Action. The demonstration, which took place in Trafalgar Square on Saturday afternoon, saw hundreds of participants gather with signs opposing the proscription.
Arrests Made for Supporting Proscribed Organisation
According to police statements, all arrests were made on grounds of showing support for a proscribed organisation. The ages of those detained ranged from 27 to 82 years old, highlighting a diverse demographic among the protesters. In a social media update, the Metropolitan Police indicated that officers are continuing to make additional arrests, with a group remaining at the scene.
Protest Details and Police Response
Hundreds of demonstrators, many of whom were elderly, assembled in Trafalgar Square carrying placards with messages such as "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action." Some sat on camping chairs or the ground, while large banners near the National Gallery read "Jurors deserve to hear the whole truth" and "Israel starves kids." Police were observed carrying individuals away from the protest, including a man and a woman with grey hair, amid chants of "shame on you" from the crowd.
One woman was seen lying with her eyes closed as officers and bystanders formed a circle around her, with protesters shouting that she required medical attention. Others accused police of not properly supporting her shoulders during removal. As arrests proceeded, one protester made a peace sign while being led away, and another asserted, "Palestine Action is not a proscribed organisation."
Legal Context and Group Statements
The protest, organised under the name Everyone Day by the group Defend Our Juries, aimed to demonstrate that resistance to the ban on Palestine Action remains "stronger than ever." The Metropolitan Police had previously stated that Saturday's action was "likely to involve offending rather than a lawful protest." This follows a pause in arrests in February after a High Court ruling deemed the government's ban unlawful, but police resumed detentions in March as an appeal against the ruling is expected to take several months.
Protesters, some carried by their ankles and underarms by officers, were directed to a fenced area at the side of Trafalgar Square. The ongoing legal battle over the ban continues to fuel tensions, with authorities maintaining a firm stance against what they classify as unlawful support for a proscribed group.
