Widespread Arrests Follow National Day of Protest
Dozens of supporters of Palestine Action have been arrested across the United Kingdom following a fresh wave of demonstrations held on Saturday. The protests were organised to oppose the government's highly controversial decision to ban the group, which was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in July.
Police forces reported making numerous arrests during coordinated demonstrations. West Midlands Police confirmed 25 arrests in Birmingham, where activists gathered at Chamberlain Square in the city centre. Meanwhile, Bristol saw 30 arrests and Norwich witnessed 10 arrests as the day of action unfolded.
Campaign Reaches Historic Scale
The organising group, Defend Our Juries, claimed that Saturday's events marked the most widespread wave of civil disobedience in modern UK history. Their 'Lift the Ban' campaign, which has run for twelve days, has seen a total of 636 arrests according to the group's statements.
Since Palestine Action was proscribed in July, the campaign has recorded 2,717 arrests related to sign-holding protests. The group organised demonstrations in ten British towns and cities on Saturday afternoon, protesting what they describe as the government's complicity in genocide and the ban on Palestine Action.
Police Response Varies Across Regions
Not all police forces opted to make arrests during the protests. The group reported that officers in Edinburgh and Exeter chose not to detain protesters, despite the demonstrations technically violating Section 13 of the Terrorism Act.
A video shared on social media platform X showed a Devon and Cornwall Police officer in Exeter using a megaphone to address protesters. She stated: By holding a sign supporting the Palestine Action Group, you are currently committing an offence under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act; we need to prevent offences from being committed which is why we're asking you to put those signs away.
When the officer asked if anything could persuade protesters to cooperate, one man responded by shouting come and join us.
A spokesperson for Defend Our Juries commented: Yet again the ban has proven unenforceable, with police forces in Belfast, Derry, Edinburgh, Totnes and now Exeter choosing not to arrest peaceful sign-holders under 'terror' laws, while other forces have given up making arrests half way through.
Official Police Statements
West Midlands Police emphasised their approach to the Birmingham protest, noting that while they recognise the right to peaceful demonstration, they would take action against law-breaking. Chief Inspector James Littlehales stated: We fully recognise people's right to demonstrate peacefully, and many people continue to protest in support of Palestine without breaking the law. But we will take appropriate action where people are breaching the law by showing support for proscribed organisations.
In Norwich, Norfolk Constabulary attended a group that assembled on Haymarket in the city centre at 12:30pm on Saturday. Superintendent Terry Lordan explained: Our role as a police force is to prevent disorder, damage and disruption in the local community. Today, this involved arresting individuals who were committing offences under the Terrorism Act. The actions of this group were unlawful and officers have used their powers accordingly.
The incident was resolved by approximately 3pm, with ten people arrested on suspicion of displaying an item in support of a proscribed organisation. Those detained are being held at Wymondham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.
London March Draws Massive Crowd
Separately, a march organised by the Palestine Coalition in London attracted an estimated 100,000 people according to organisers. The Metropolitan Police reported only one arrest for affray during this protest, with four others detained on suspicion of Public Order Act offences.
Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy addressed demonstrators in London, asserting that the UK must stop enabling violence. Speaking to protesters in Whitehall, she declared: We're here because we know that even as political leaders congratulate themselves on this so-called ceasefire, the genocide in Gaza continues in real time.
Poplar and Limehouse MP Apsana Begum echoed the determination of protesters, stating they would not stop marching until there was a free and independent Palestine.
