More Palestine Action supporters arrested by London police
2 Min Read
The crackdown on Palestine Action continues, targeting supporters protesting to defend the group.
-
Demonstrators hold up a banner during a protest by Palestine Action group in London, Monday, June 23, 2025 (AP)
London police arrested dozens of protesters for a second consecutive Saturday, targeting supporters of Palestine Action, the activist group recently banned by the UK government under anti-terror legislation.
The Metropolitan Police stated on X that "officers have made 41 arrests for showing support for a proscribed organisation," while also reporting an additional arrest related to common assault.
Video footage captured police approaching a small group of demonstrators gathered at lunchtime near the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament Square, where protesters were displaying signs in support of Palestine Action.
HAPPENING NOW: Elderly man arrested by police for holding sign which read "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action"
— ashok | ಅಶೋಕ್ 🇵🇸 (@broseph_stalin) July 12, 2025
46 arrested in total in London, more arrests happening now in Manchester and Cardiff pic.twitter.com/DOVtrbExB1
'Orwellian' ban
The campaign group Defend Our Juries, which had planned Saturday rallies across multiple UK cities to challenge the ban, condemned the police crackdown.
As of today, 111 people had been arrested for saying they support Palestine Action.
— Gordon Dimmack (@GordonDimmack) July 12, 2025
Zero terrorism charges so far.
Because it’s not about terrorism.
It’s about making you afraid to say you support a group they’re afraid of.
🔗 https://t.co/MXpotl830q pic.twitter.com/k8HDZQB5mP
"The Metropolitan Police were out in force again today, arresting more than 40 people in Parliament Square for holding signs opposed to genocide and supporting Palestine Action," AFP cited one spokesperson as saying.
"Who do the police think they are serving in this?" the spokesperson stated, describing the ban as "Orwellian".
29 arrested under 'anti-terrorism' laws
This follows the arrest of 29 people last week, including a priest and several health professionals, for alleged violations of "anti-terrorism laws".
Police have cautioned that showing support for Palestine Action became illegal after its ban took effect on July 5, with the Metropolitan Police stating on X before Saturday's demonstrations that "it is a criminal offence to invite or express support for a proscribed organisation" while warning protesters about potential legal consequences.
"As we saw last week, those who do breach the law will face action," they added.
The UK Parliament approved Palestine Action's proscription in early July, and a final attempt to block the ban through a High Court challenge was unsuccessful, allowing it to take legal effect.
