The Metropolitan Police made more than 200 arrests at Parliament Square on Saturday as hundreds of protesters defied a terrorism ban to show support for Palestine Action, in what became one of the largest mass arrest operations in recent British history.
Protesters unveiled signs reading “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action” in a coordinated demonstration organised by Defend Our Juries, which aimed to overwhelm police resources and challenge the enforcement of laws banning support for the proscribed organisation.
The Met Police confirmed on social media: “We have now made 200 arrests in Parliament Square this afternoon. We have significant resources deployed to this operation. It will take time, but we will arrest anyone expressing support for Palestine Action.
Palestine Action was designated a terrorist organisation on 5 July, making it a criminal offence to show support for the group, with potential sentences of up to 14 years in prison. The ban followed an incident in which activists broke into RAF Brize Norton and spray-painted two Voyager aircraft, causing an estimated £7 million in damage.
Between 600 and 700 people participated in the demonstration, according to Defend Our Juries, with protesters sitting silently on the grass in Parliament Square whilst holding handwritten placards. Officers moved systematically through the crowd, speaking to individual demonstrators before escorting them to police vans stationed around the square.
The force confirmed that four additional arrests were made for assaults on officers, bringing the total detained to 204. A further arrest was made at a separate Palestine Coalition march for displaying a placard supporting Palestine Action.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan had warned before the protest: “Anyone showing support for Palestine Action can expect to be arrested. I would once again urge people to consider the seriousness of that outcome. An arrest under the Terrorism Act can have very real long-term implications – from travel, to employment, to finances.
The demonstration was deliberately designed to strain police resources, with Defend Our Juries stating in their briefing document: “We do not believe it will be practically or politically possible for the police to arrest 500 people for holding cardboard signs against the genocide.
Among those arrested were elderly protesters, health professionals, and an 83-year-old reverend, Sue Parfitt. Witnesses reported that some protesters were carried away whilst others were dragged along the ground, prompting onlookers to applaud the demonstrators and shout “Shame on you” at police.
A Home Office spokesperson defended the ban, stating: “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.
Since the proscription came into effect, Palestine Action has been classified alongside groups such as al-Qaeda and ISIS under the Terrorism Act 2000. The organisation, founded in 2020, has been responsible for over 385 acts of criminal damage, according to government figures.
The first prosecutions under the ban were announced earlier this week, with Jeremy Shippam, 71, Judit Murray, 71, and Fiona Maclean, 53, charged with displaying articles arousing reasonable suspicion of support for a proscribed organisation. They are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 16 September.
Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, stated: “Anyone who displays public support for Palestine Action, a proscribed organisation, is committing an offence under the Terrorism Act and can expect to be arrested and, as these charges show, will be investigated to the full extent of the law.
The mass arrests present significant challenges for the criminal justice system, with chronic prison space shortages and courts dealing with a backlog of around 77,000 cases. This could create what observers describe as an “intensely difficult situation” for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s government.
Counter-protesters were also present at the demonstration, with some holding signs stating “Palestine Action terrorises Britain while Hamas hides in hospitals, schools and mosques. Police formed a protective line between the groups, with one officer telling reporters: “It’s a free country.
The protests were not limited to London, with demonstrations also taking place in Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Truro. Greater Manchester Police arrested 16 people on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation, whilst Avon and Somerset Police detained 17 under the Terrorism Act.
A spokesperson for Defend Our Juries rejected characterisations that the protest aimed to overwhelm police, stating: “If we are allowed to protest peacefully and freely, then that is no bother to anyone. Just a few weeks ago being arrested under the Terrorism Act was the stuff of nightmares. Now it’s a badge of honour that people are wearing with pride.”
The ban on Palestine Action faces a legal challenge, with co-founder Huda Ammori scheduled to appear at the High Court on Monday seeking permission for a full judicial review of the proscription. The challenge is based on grounds of disproportionate harm to freedom of expression and assembly.
As detained protesters were processed at locations across Westminster, those whose details could be confirmed were released on bail with conditions not to attend further protests supporting Palestine Action. Those who refused to provide details or whose identities could not be verified were taken to custody suites across London.
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