More than 500 people have been arrested at the first mass demonstration opposing the proscription of Palestine Action since the group’s ban was ruled unlawful by the High Court. Hundreds gathered in Trafalgar Square on Saturday, holding signs reading “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” The Metropolitan Police confirmed 523 arrests by midnight, with ages ranging from 18 to 87.
Protesters sat on camping chairs and the ground, some dressed as suffragettes or wearing masks of Keir Starmer. Banners near the National Gallery read “Jurors deserve to hear the whole truth” and “Israel starves kids.” Officers began arrests around 1pm, carrying individuals away from the demonstration. One elderly woman using walking sticks was escorted away, and a woman told officers: “You could be on your way catching real criminals.”
Defend Our Juries, the organisers, said the Met was making arrests despite the High Court ruling the ban unlawful, with lawyers warning such arrests were unlawful. 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 stated: “This British government is hellbent on establishing that the ones that create the weapons are not the terrorists but the ones that destroy the weapons are the terrorists.”
Kamran Ahmed, who was on hunger strike for over 60 days, said he was there to support “righteous people taking righteous action against the government.” Ally, a 72-year-old sculptor, called the proscription “blatantly absurd,” adding: “It’s not just about Palestinian Action, so much about protest is being shut down now.” Andy Simons, 73, wore a sign reading “Free, free speech” and said free speech should be allowed as long as it is not violent.
The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, was granted permission to appeal the High Court’s decision. Initially, the Met said it would stop arresting people under the Terrorism Act for such offences but later revised its approach after the appeal was permitted. The High Court ruled in February that the government’s proscription of Palestine Action was unlawful.
