London police arrest 523 people at protest over Palestine Action ban - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirwFBVV95cUxPUml1b0pIeXdLYl9QYl85Sm1Scl82dW92SjBqbldQZjd3aGxXV2RUUHFCOVFYMldwZWp1M09MMjlfZ3ZtRW5seFZLSVRvaXFIYk9EY1d1YmF2Z21nZU1XbEJ2SzBzdEM1TV80VHgzVVptek84ODBrZ1ZNLVBjNTJyamV1WUxERTJfc09QU2hjYVhHdTRQbUhKMXZIZ1R1d1gwdlNhWW11dFQ3QnhVRFZB?oc=5" target="_blank">London police arrest 523 people at protest over Palestine Action ban</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

On April 11, 2026, London police arrested 212 individuals, aged between 27 and 82, during a protest in Trafalgar Square supporting the banned activist group Palestine Action, which the UK government has designated as a terrorist organization. Despite a February High Court ruling declaring the ban unlawful, it remains in effect pending an appeal. The protest, organized by the group Defend Our Juries, was preemptively warned against by police, who confirmed their intent to make arrests. Demonstrators, including public figures like musician Robert Del Naja of Massive Attack, voiced opposition to the ban and expressed solidarity with Palestine Action, challenging the legal and moral grounds of the arrests. Many protesters criticized law enforcement’s actions, especially the arrest of elderly participants, highlighting what they saw as excessive state repression and curtailment of free expression.

Police arrested 523 individuals at a protest in London's Trafalgar Square opposing Britain's banning of the Palestine Action group. The Metropolitan Police stated that arrests were made for showing support for a 'proscribed organization.' This demonstration occurred after London's High Court ruled in February that the ban designating the pro-Palestinian group as a terrorist organization was unlawful. UK Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood has been granted approval to appeal the ruling. Protesters, some wearing black and white Palestinian scarves and waving Palestinian flags, sat on the ground or on camping chairs during the demonstration.

More than 500 people were arrested during a mass protest in central London against the ban on Palestine Action. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that 523 individuals, aged between 18 and 87, were arrested for showing support for a proscribed organization during the demonstration at Trafalgar Square. Those arrested included Massive Attack musician Robert Del Naja, who sat with an 'I Support Palestine Action' sign and was later carried away by three police officers. Protesters gathered with signs reading 'I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action,' and many elderly demonstrators sat on camping chairs and on the ground as they held up their placards.

More than 500 people were arrested during a mass protest in central London against the ban on Palestine Action. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that 523 individuals, aged between 18 and 87, were arrested for showing support for a proscribed organization during the demonstration at Trafalgar Square. Those arrested included Massive Attack musician Robert Del Naja, who sat with an 'I Support Palestine Action' sign and was later carried away by three police officers. Protesters gathered with signs reading 'I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action,' and many elderly demonstrators sat on camping chairs and on the ground as they held up their placards.

Police have arrested hundreds of people during a mass vigil in central London to oppose the ban on campaign group Palestine Action. More than 1,000 people gathered in Trafalgar Square for the demonstration on Saturday, with many holding signs saying, 'I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.' Palestine Action is a direct action group which says it wants to end British complicity in Israel’s mistreatment of Palestinians. It has claimed responsibility for actions including a break-in at an RAF base, where aeroplanes were painted, and an attack on a London business that it said was linked to weapons manufacturers for Israel. The UK government proscribed Palestine Action as a 'terrorist organisation' in July 2025, placing it in the same category as armed groups including al-Qaeda and Hezbollah. The proscription also makes it illegal to be a member of, or express support for, the group, offences punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Eight activists linked to the network had staged hunger strikes while in prison on remand to protest against the government’s proscription of the group. On February 13, the High Court ruled the government’s proscription of Palestine Action to be unlawful. It called the move 'disproportionate' and in breach of freedom of expression. Initially, Metropolitan Police indicated they were unlikely to arrest people showing support for the group following the High Court’s ruling. But on March 25, police said they will resume arrests for those showing support. Critics say this U-turn defies the court ruling.

Police arrested 523 individuals at a protest in London's Trafalgar Square opposing the ban on the Palestine Action group, which the UK government has labeled a terrorist organization.

London police arrested more than 200 people during a protest against the ban on the group Palestine Action, which the government has labeled a terrorist organization.

Police arrested 523 people at a protest in London's Trafalgar Square opposing Britain's banning of the Palestine Action group, which the UK government has designated as a terrorist organization.

Over 200 people were arrested at the first mass demonstration opposing the proscription of Palestine Action since the group's ban was ruled unlawful by the high court.