Pro-Palestine Action Protest in London Leads to 42 Arrests

A significant protest took place in London’s Parliament Square on Saturday, resulting in 42 arrests. The demonstration was organized in response to the UK government’s decision to proscribe the activist group Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act 2000. This proscription, effective from last Saturday, criminalizes membership and support for the group.

The Metropolitan Police reported that 41 individuals were arrested on suspicion of showing support for a proscribed organization. An additional arrest was made for common assault. These arrests follow a similar protest last weekend, which saw 29 people taken into custody.

Protesters gathered shortly after 13:00 BST, with some holding placards that read: “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.” Images from the scene showed demonstrators lying on the ground while police conducted searches, confiscating ID cards and handmade signs. Law enforcement officers were observed carrying away some protesters, while others were escorted into police vans. The last protester was removed from the Nelson Mandela statue just after 14:30 BST.

The government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action was reportedly linked to an incident in June where activists sprayed paint on two Voyager aircraft at RAF Brize Norton, an act for which the group claimed responsibility. The proscription means that any association with the group is now considered a criminal offense.

The protest in London was part of a broader day of action, with similar demonstrations reportedly occurring in other UK cities, including Manchester and Cardiff. The campaign group Defend Our Juries stated that it had organized the London protest.