By Dayo Ade Olusola | July 6, 2025|M10news
LONDON — Over 20 people have been arrested in central London under terrorism legislation following a protest in support of Palestine Action, a direct-action group officially banned as a terrorist organisation in the UK. Many were arrested under the new laws.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed on Saturday that the arrests were made under the Terrorism Act 2000, after demonstrators gathered in Parliament Square defying the new proscription.
As the protest unfolded, more individuals were arrested, raising concerns about civil liberties and the number of people arrested in such demonstrations.
Officers said those detained are suspected of committing offences by expressing support for a now-proscribed organisation.
The number of people arrested is alarming, prompting discussions about the implications of the arrests for freedom of expression.
“The group is now proscribed and expressing support for them is a criminal offence,” the force said in a statement. “Arrests are being made.”
The arrests come less than 24 hours after the ban on Palestine Action took legal effect at midnight on Saturday, following a failed last-minute appeal by the group at the Court of Appeal.
The Home Office’s decision, announced earlier this week by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and backed overwhelmingly by MPs and the House of Lords, means anyone found to be a member of, or showing support for, Palestine Action faces up to 14 years in prison.
These changes have resulted in many being arrested, highlighting the tension between state policies and public protest.
Heavy Police Presence and Protester Detentions
Around Parliament Square, dozens of officers surrounded protesters holding placards reading:
Witnesses reported seeing numerous individuals arrested during the demonstration, which sparked public outcry.
“I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” In footage shared online, chants of “British police off our streets” and “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” were heard, alongside accusations that the police were acting on behalf of a “Zionist state.”
A female protester was seen being handcuffed and carried to a police van while shouting: “Free Palestine, stop the genocide. I support the rights of the Palestinian people. I support freedom of speech, freedom of assembly.”
The protest began at 1:10 p.m. and arrests started shortly after 1:30 p.m. Most officers left the area by 2:10 p.m. Observers said the presence of law enforcement was highly visible and swift in response.
Supporters Decry ‘Creeping Totalitarianism’
Leslie Tate, a 76-year-old Green Party councillor from Hertfordshire who attended the demonstration, criticised the ban, describing Palestine Action as “not a violent organisation.”
“This protest is necessary to defend our democracy,” Tate said. “This is the creeping edge of totalitarianism.”
The new designation places Palestine Action on the same legal footing as groups such as al-Qaeda, ISIS, and Hezbollah. Under the new law, even wearing clothing or displaying materials bearing the group’s name could result in up to six months in prison and a fine.
The legal ramifications of being arrested under these provisions are severe, especially for activists.
Legal Challenge Ongoing
Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori is seeking to bring a judicial review against the Home Office. A court date has been scheduled for the week of July 21.
On Friday, her legal team sought “interim relief” to halt the ban’s enforcement pending the outcome of the legal challenge, arguing that supporters including Irish novelist Sally Rooney feared legal consequences for public support.
However, the High Court rejected the application late Friday evening—just 90 minutes before the ban took effect.
P1Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr and two other senior judges ruled that the court’s role was to “interpret and apply the law,” not to assess the political or moral arguments related to the proscription.
Ongoing Debate Over Free Speech and Protest Rights
The ban has sparked sharp criticism from civil liberties groups and free speech advocates, who argue that proscribing non-violent protest movements risks setting a dangerous precedent.
Critics argue that the number of individuals arrested raises questions about the fairness of such legal measures.
The Home Office maintains that the decision to proscribe Palestine Action was based on evidence of criminal conduct, including damage to property and actions targeting UK-based arms manufacturers.
Despite the legal and political battles ahead, police have warned that further expressions of support for Palestine Action—whether through speech, apparel, or demonstration—will be treated as criminal acts under anti-terror legislation.
This has resulted in multiple arrests, leading to heightened scrutiny of the laws governing public protests.
