The Metropolitan Police have reported more than 425 arrests following a protest in central London on Saturday against the UK government’s decision to ban the activist group Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation.
Thousands gathered at Parliament Square for the demonstration, carrying placards opposing the proscription and voicing support for the group amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
While most of the arrests were made under the Terrorism Act for supporting a banned organisation, police confirmed that several individuals were also detained for assaulting officers and other public order offences.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Claire Smart, who oversaw the policing operation, condemned the violence directed at officers.
“Our officers were punched, kicked, spat on and had objects thrown at them. It is unacceptable that those upholding the law should face such levels of abuse while carrying out their duty,” she said, adding that the disruption diverted significant resources away from neighbourhood policing.
The operation saw more than 2,500 officers deployed across the capital to manage multiple demonstrations.
Police said most events, including a pro-Palestine coalition march attended by an estimated 20,000 people, passed without major incident.
However, the rally organised by Defend Our Juries in support of Palestine Action accounted for the largest number of arrests.
According to police, over 25 individuals were specifically detained for assaults on officers, with investigations continuing.
“Attacks on police officers will not be tolerated, and those responsible will be pursued to the full extent of the law,” the Met said in a statement.
Palestine Action was officially proscribed under the UK’s Terrorism Act in July by then Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, making membership or support of the group punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
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The Defend Our Juries group, which organised Saturday’s protest, disputed the police version of events, describing its demonstration as “the picture of peaceful protest” and calling the allegations of abuse “astonishing.”
The group has urged newly appointed Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to revoke the ban.
Elsewhere in the UK, Police Scotland confirmed two arrests in Edinburgh during a separate rally backing Palestine Action.
This is the second major round of arrests linked to the group in recent weeks.
In early August, London police detained more than 500 people during what was described as one of the largest demonstrations in support of Palestine Action, with the majority arrested under terrorism legislation.
