UNIPA NEWS(London) May 8: More than 523 protesters were arrested during a major demonstration held at Trafalgar Square in central London against the UK government’s decision to ban the pro-Palestinian activist group Palestine Action, according to the Metropolitan Police.
The large-scale protest, which took place on Saturday, drew hundreds of demonstrators carrying Palestinian flags, wearing the traditional black-and-white keffiyeh scarves, and holding placards condemning the proposed restrictions on the group. Many participants were seen sitting peacefully on roads and on camping chairs as part of a coordinated act of civil protest.
In a statement posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the Metropolitan Police said the arrests were made on grounds of expressing support for a prohibited organization, which constitutes an offense under UK law.
The demonstration marked the first major public gathering in support of Palestine Action since a significant legal development earlier this year. In February, the High Court in London ruled that the government’s decision to classify the group as a “terrorist organization” was unlawful, raising questions over the legality of the ban.
However, the legal battle is far from over. UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has since been granted permission to appeal the court’s decision, meaning the final status of the group remains subject to further judicial review.
The controversy surrounding Palestine Action intensified after several of its members allegedly entered a Royal Air Force base in July last year, an incident that prompted authorities to move forward with banning the organization under the country’s counterterrorism legislation.
Palestine Action has consistently accused the British government of being complicit in what it describes as Israeli war crimes in Gaza, citing UK military and political support for Israel. Israel, however, has repeatedly rejected allegations of committing war crimes in the Gaza Strip.
Saturday’s protest highlighted growing public tensions in the UK over the government’s stance on pro-Palestinian activism and freedom of political expression. Human rights advocates and legal observers say the case could have broader implications for protest rights and the limits of anti-terror legislation in democratic societies.
