Police have detained dozens in central London after a large crowd gathered for a demonstration in support of Palestine Action, despite the group being officially banned.
Organisers from campaign network Defend Our Juries claimed as many as 700 people assembled in Parliament Square on Saturday, saying they expected police to carry out “the largest mass arrest in their history”.
The Metropolitan Police posted an image of the gathering on social media, stating: “This is the scene in Parliament Square. Within this crowd, a significant number of people are displaying placards expressing support for Palestine Action, which is a proscribed group. Officers have moved in and are making arrests.”
Palestine Action was formally proscribed under terrorism legislation on 5 July, making it a criminal offence to show public support for the organisation. Conviction can carry a prison sentence of up to 14 years.
Defend Our Juries announced earlier this week that the protest would go ahead regardless of the legal ban, following similar demonstrations since the proscription came into force last month.
Police confirmed that more than 200 people have been arrested since the legislation was introduced, with three individuals now formally charged in connection with illegal Palestine Action activity.
Those charged include Jeremy Shippam, 71, from West Sussex; Judit Murray, 71, from Surrey; and Fiona Maclean, 53, from Hackney, east London. All three are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 16 September.
Elsewhere in the capital, a separate march organised by the Palestine Coalition — an unaffiliated group — departed Russell Square and proceeded towards The Strand.
The Met Police said one arrest was made on that route after a person was spotted carrying a placard in support of Palestine Action.
By around 1pm, large crowds had gathered in Parliament Square. Some attendees were seen writing messages such as “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action” on homemade placards.
While a portion of the demonstrators remained silent, others joined in pro-Palestinian chants.
The Home Office has previously defended the ban on Palestine Action, insisting it does not restrict lawful protest over Palestinian rights.
A spokesperson said: “The Home Secretary has been clear that the proscription of Palestine Action is not about Palestine, nor does it affect the freedom to protest on Palestinian rights.
“It only applies to the specific and narrow organisation whose activities do not reflect or represent the thousands of people across the country who continue to exercise their fundamental rights to protest on different issues.”
The proscription order against Palestine Action was introduced after the group carried out repeated actions targeting sites linked to Israeli defence companies in the UK.
Human rights groups have criticised the ban as heavy-handed, warning it could have a chilling effect on legitimate political activism.
Police maintained a heavy presence in Westminster throughout the day, with vans, mounted units, and officers in high-visibility gear deployed to control the crowds.
The Met said further arrests are expected as investigations continue into those displaying signs or symbols linked to the banned organisation.
Editing by M10News Politics Desk | Contact: politics@m10news.com
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