UK police arrested scores of Palestine Action supporters across multiple cities during a third straight weekend of demonstrations against the group’s recent ban under the Terrorism Act 2000. The protests erupted following the government’s move to criminalize any support for the activist group.
In London’s Parliament Square alone, 55 individuals were detained for holding placards that read “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” Authorities confirmed the arrests were made under anti-terror legislation. An additional eight people were arrested at a separate London march, while eight more were held in Truro, Cornwall.
Nationwide Crackdown on Palestine Action Supporters Sparks Free Speech Debate
Protests also took place in Manchester, where 18 were arrested, Bristol with 17 detained, and Edinburgh, where police confirmed multiple arrests. The demonstrations were organized by Defend Our Juries, a campaign group that openly defied the ban and called it an infringement on democratic rights.
The UK government formally banned Palestine Action on July 5, shortly after activists claimed responsibility for vandalizing two military aircraft at a southern England air base—causing an estimated £7 million in damages. Four individuals connected to the act remain in custody.
Under the new legislation, supporting or associating with Palestine Action is now punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Civil rights groups and the organization itself have condemned the ban, calling it a severe blow to freedom of expression in the UK.
