London Police arrest over 460 in protest against UK’s ban on Palestine Action group

London’s Metropolitan Police arrested over 466 people during a protest on Saturday against the UK government’s decision to ban the group Palestine Action, the force confirmed.

The British government banned Palestine Action under anti-terrorism laws in July, labeling the group a “terror organisation” after some of its members broke into a Royal Air Force base and damaged aircraft during a series of protests. Palestine Action accuses the UK government of complicity in what it describes as Israeli war crimes in Gaza.

According to news agency Reuters, demonstrators, wearing black and white Palestinian scarves and waving Palestinian flags, gathered in Parliament Square by the Houses of Parliament. They chanted slogans such as “hands off Gaza” and held placards reading “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action,” according to Reuters footage from the scene.

Israel has been accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice and by human rights organizations due to its intense military operations in Gaza. Israel denies these allegations, framing its actions as self-defense following a deadly Hamas attack in October 2023.

The police were seen carrying away protesters as the crowd chanted “shame on you” at officers. The Metropolitan Police stated on X (formerly Twitter) that 466 people were arrested for supporting a proscribed organization, while an additional eight people were detained for other offenses, including five for assaults on police officers. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported.

The ban criminalizes membership in Palestine Action and carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. Last week, the group’s co-founder, Huda Ammori, won permission to legally challenge the ban.

Al Jazeera reported that this crackdown is part of ongoing enforcement since the ban came into effect in July. Earlier protests across the UK have seen more than 200 people detained. The Terrorism Act 2000 makes supporting or being a member of Palestine Action a criminal offense.

In response, over 350 academics worldwide signed an open letter criticizing the ban and its impact, describing it as a “growing campaign of collective defiance” and warning of negative consequences for academic freedom and civil liberties.

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With inputs from Reuters

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