More than 500 people were arrested at a demonstration in London on Saturday opposing the proscription of Palestine Action, following the high court's ruling that the ban was unlawful. The Metropolitan Police reported 523 arrests by midnight, with ages ranging from 18 to 87.
Hundreds gathered in Trafalgar Square, holding signs reading “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” Some protesters dressed as suffragettes or wore masks of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Banners displayed messages including “Jurors deserve to hear the whole truth” and “Israel starves kids”.
Arrests began shortly after 1pm, with officers detaining individuals on the edges of the demonstration. One elderly woman using walking sticks was escorted away. Organisers Defend Our Juries criticised the arrests, stating they were unlawful given the high court's ruling. A spokesperson called the situation “truly surreal”.
Former Palestine Action-affiliated prisoner Qesser Zuhrah, who was on hunger strike for 48 days, said the “entire world” opposes the ban. She argued the government is wrongly labelling those who destroy weapons as terrorists, rather than those who create and use them. Kamran Ahmed, who was on hunger strike for over 60 days, expressed support for “righteous action against the government”.
Other participants, including sculptor Ally, 72, and retired curator Andy Simons, 73, criticised the ban as absurd and a threat to free speech. The home secretary has been granted permission to appeal the high court's decision, leading the Met to revise its enforcement approach.
