London police swooped in and arrested 212 people during a peaceful mass vigil in Trafalgar Square on Saturday. Protesters gathered under the banner of “Everyone Day.” They demanded the lifting of Britain’s ban on the group Palestine Action. Organisers from Defend Our Juries called the event a simple sign-holding vigil. Yet, officers moved quickly when demonstrators showed any support for the proscribed organisation.
Police Crack Down on Support for Banned Group
The Metropolitan Police defended their actions in a post on X. They stated they continued making arrests wherever people displayed backing for a group the government lists as terrorist. Many protesters sat quietly on the ground or in camping chairs. They held placards and waved Palestinian flags. Some wore traditional black-and-white scarves. Still, the heavy police presence turned the square into a scene of repeated detentions throughout the afternoon.
The protest marked the first major gathering since February’s High Court ruling. Judges declared the ban on Palestine Action unlawful at that time. However, Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood quickly won approval to appeal the decision. Lawmakers had originally outlawed the group last July. This followed activists breaking into a Royal Air Force base. Palestine Action insists the ban punishes legitimate protest. It accuses the British government of complicity in Israeli actions in Gaza.
High Court Ruling Fuels Ongoing Legal Battle
The arrests highlight deep tensions that still simmer around the ban. Activists argue they simply exercise free speech. Authorities insist they must enforce anti-terror laws. As a result, the clash in central London draws fresh attention to the wider debate over protest rights and national security. Officials confirm they processed all 212 cases efficiently. Campaigners already vow to keep pressing for the ban’s full removal.
