London’s Metropolitan Police arrested 466 people on Saturday during a protest against the UK government’s recent ban on the activist group Palestine Action. The protest took place in Parliament Square, near the Houses of Parliament.
The UK government officially banned Palestine Action in July under anti-terrorism laws, following a series of high-profile actions by the group, including breaking into a Royal Air Force base and damaging military equipment. Palestine Action accuses the UK government of supporting alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza.
Demonstrators, many wearing keffiyehs and waving Palestinian flags, chanted slogans such as “Hands off Gaza” and held placards reading “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action,” according to footage captured by Reuters.
The protest remained largely peaceful, though tensions rose as officers began arresting attendees. In total, 466 people were detained for supporting a proscribed organization. An additional eight individuals were arrested for other offenses, including five for assaulting police officers. Authorities reported no serious injuries.
Israel has faced allegations of genocide at the International Court of Justice and from human rights organizations over its military actions in Gaza. Israel has rejected the accusations, framing its campaign as self-defense following the October 2023 attack by Hamas militants.
As protesters were removed from the square, crowds chanted “shame on you” at the police. The large-scale arrests mark one of the most significant crackdowns on pro-Palestinian activism in the UK under the new legislation.
