London: 200 Protesters Arrested at Demonstration Supporting the Banned Group “Palestine Action”
On Saturday, London’s Metropolitan Police arrested approximately 200 protesters in Parliament Square, Westminster, during a demonstration supporting the group Palestine Action, which the UK government banned last month under the Terrorism Act 2000.
Protest Against UK Government Complicity
Organised by the group Defend Our Jurists, the protest saw dozens of participants holding signs stating: “I oppose genocide… I support Pal Action.” Police confirmed that anyone displaying support for the banned group was immediately detained, warning that supporting a proscribed organisation can carry a prison sentence of up to 14 years.
Video footage showed officers moving among seated protesters, escorting or carrying them away amid chants of “Shame on you” with each arrest.
Arrests and Police Statement
According to police, attendance at the start of the protest ranged from 500 to 600 people, including onlookers and journalists. The operation resulted in 200 arrests for supporting a banned organisation and four others for assaulting officers. Those whose identities were verified were released on bail, conditional on refraining from participating in pro-group events, while others who refused to provide details or whose identities could not be confirmed were held in custody.
Background and Developments
The demonstration follows the recent charging of three individuals in England and Wales with supporting Palestine Action. While Defend Our Jurists claimed over a thousand participants carried banners, police disputed these numbers. The group described the protest as “a message of rejection and anger at the UK government’s complicity in a live genocide,” insisting that Palestine Action and its supporters “pose no threat to society.”
Massive Demonstration and Solidarity with Gaza: Statement from the Palestinian Forum in Britain
In what has become the 30th national demonstration since October 2023, more than 250,000 people gathered across Britain on Saturday in a powerful show of solidarity with the people of Gaza. This protest marks the first major demonstration following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement of his intent to occupy the entire Gaza Strip, a move widely condemned as a declaration of further violence and repression.
The demonstrators united in firm rejection of Netanyahu’s plans and the ongoing brutal measures inflicted upon Gaza’s civilian population. They demanded that the UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, take decisive and immediate action to halt this catastrophe. The protesters called on the government to stop the export of arms to “Israel”, end the genocide and starvation currently imposed on the people of Gaza, and prosecute “Israeli” leaders accused of war crimes.
Palestinian journalist and Gaza resident Ahmad Naouq addressed the crowd with a poignant message, painting a vivid picture of the reality inside Gaza: “Tell them they are bewildered how life still exists outside Gaza, how the sun still rises, the stars still shine, the sea still moves with waves, because in Gaza, it seems life barely exists. They told me they are dying, starving, and tired. They no longer want to be called heroes or victims. They just want to live like normal human beings. They asked me to tell you: please don’t tire, continue the struggle. Hundreds die every day in Gaza, dying as they queue for food, inside tents, hospitals, mosques, and churches. Starved, bombed day and night for 21 months. Sir Keir Starmer is watching, sending spy flights, filming the carnage, and still sending weapons. Shame on him, shame on all killing people in Gaza. We need answers, why is Palestinian blood spillable? Why are our children killable? We have done everything: protested, taken legal action, but you haven’t listened. So who do you represent? The people who have been protesting for two years, begging you to stop aiding genocide? History is being written. Don’t be on the wrong side.”
Naouq’s words captured the deep exhaustion felt by Gaza’s population after enduring relentless bombardment, starvation, and severe restrictions on basic supplies and medical aid.
Adnan Hmidan, acting chairman of the Palestinian Forum in Britain, echoed this urgent message. He warned against being misled by images showing small amounts of food entering Gaza, clarifying that these supplies are insufficient and inaccessible for many, especially vulnerable groups.
“Yes, small quantities of sugar and cheese have entered Gaza, but they come at extremely high prices, far beyond the reach of most families,” Hamidan said. “Children in Gaza have been without milk for six months. Patients with chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension have not received proper medication for months. This is unacceptable.”
He emphasised the frustration with government rhetoric and called for meaningful, practical steps:
“We are tired of statements. We want these words to translate into real action. The UK government must stop supporting this ongoing genocide.”
The demonstration was not only a response to Netanyahu’s occupation plans but a culmination of decades of injustice and suffering faced by Palestinians. Since October 2023, Britain has seen a remarkable series of national protests advocating for Palestinian rights and demanding the UK government take a principled stance.
The sheer scale of Saturday’s protest underscored the growing awareness and solidarity within the British public. Protesters carried banners and chanted slogans demanding justice, an end to arms exports, and accountability for those responsible for the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
One key demand was for Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government to break its silence and actively halt UK support for Israeli military actions, including the controversial arms trade. Many expressed frustration at what they see as the government’s failure to reflect the views of the tens of thousands taking to the streets.
The protest was peaceful but urgent, reflecting the desperation and determination of a community united against ongoing war crimes, starvation, and the siege of Gaza.
Security Preparations and Legal Context
The protest coincided with preparations in London for two separate marches: one pro-Palestine, organised by the Palestine Alliance, and another pro-Israel, organised by the group Stop Hate, amidst extensive security measures including forces from outside the capital.
Since the ban was announced last month by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, police have arrested more than 200 people nationwide on similar grounds. This week, two women and a man were charged with supporting a banned terrorist organisation and are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 16 September.
The ban followed an incident in June where activists from Palestine Action stormed the Royal Air Force base at Brize Norton and sprayed two military aircraft with red paint, causing an estimated £7 million in damages. The Home Office said the decision was made based on “strong security advice” after “serious attacks” involving violence, injuries, and substantial damage.
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