Mass Arrests at Central London Demonstration Against Palestine Action Ban
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that more than 500 individuals were detained during a substantial protest in central London opposing the ban on Palestine Action. According to official statements, 523 people ranging in age from 18 to 87 were arrested for demonstrating support for a proscribed organisation during the gathering at Trafalgar Square.
Elderly Demonstrators and High-Profile Arrest
Among those apprehended was Massive Attack musician Robert Del Naja, who participated by sitting with a sign declaring "I Support Palestine Action" before being physically removed by three police officers. The protest, which occurred on Saturday afternoon, attracted hundreds of participants holding placards with messages such as "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action."
Many of the demonstrators, predominantly elderly, brought camping chairs and sat on the ground while displaying their signs. At the upper section of the square near the National Gallery, large banners were unfurled reading "Jurors deserve to hear the whole truth" and "Israel starves kids."
Police Actions and Legal Controversy
Law enforcement officers carried out numerous arrests by physically removing individuals from the demonstration. Footage captured Del Naja being lifted off the ground by three officers, with the musician heard stating "I'm being unlawfully arrested" when questioned about his detention.
Prior to his arrest, Del Naja explained to the Press Association that he chose to attend despite potential career repercussions. "Being a musician, obviously, there was a lot of trepidation around how we might not be able to travel and get visas," he remarked. "But I thought 'this is ridiculous' and then the police making that U-turn to arrest people again, I thought that is even more ridiculous."
The musician further defended Palestine Action's activities as "highly patriotic" for allegedly preventing British involvement in war crimes and violations of international law.
Organizational Response and Criticism
The protest group Defend Our Juries organized the event, dubbed Everyone Day, to demonstrate that resistance to the Palestine Action ban remains "stronger than ever." Tom Southerden, Amnesty International UK's law and human rights director, strongly criticized the police response.
"Today's mass arrests of peaceful protesters in Trafalgar Square under UK terrorism law are yet another blow to civil liberties in this country," Southerden declared. "The High Court ruled in February that the proscription of Palestine Action was unlawful. The Met rightly said it would stop making arrests. It has now gone back to its old, failed policy – mass arrests of people holding pieces of card, including today an elderly woman with walking sticks. This is not policing. This is the state criminalising dissent."
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson acknowledged the officers' efforts, stating "We are grateful to all the officers involved for their professionalism." The demonstration highlighted ongoing tensions between protest rights and national security measures following the controversial proscription of Palestine Action.
