The individuals, aged between fifty and seventy-five, were arrested on the bridge on suspicion of encouraging support for a proscribed organisation contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000
Archiv: London (city)
BANNER DROPPED FROM WESTMINSTER BRIDGE WHICH READS ‘WE SUPPORT THE HUNGER STRIKE. WE SUPPORT PALESTINE ACTION’
At 12PM on Saturday 15th November, five protestors were arrested under the Terrorism Act for dropping a large banner from Westminster Bridge which read, ‘We Support The Hunger Strike. We Support Palestine Action.’
The action was taken not only in support of Palestine Action, who were proscribed as a ‘terrorist’ group, by the British government, on the 5th July 2025, but in support of the hunger-strike currently being undertaken by a number of Palestine Action prisoners. The prisoners, who have formed Prisoners For Palestine, launched an indefinite, rolling, national hunger-strike on the 2nd of November, the anniversary of the signing of the Balfour Declaration, in support of a list of demands communicated to the government 2 weeks earlier.
Video: Over 500,000 in London protest against genocide in Gaza
Over 500,000 protesters marched in London to mark two years of genocide in Gaza.
They told MEE why they are demonstrating, despite the latest ceasefire agreement.
LIVE Mass protest defying Palestine Action ban takes place in Trafalgar Square
Defend Our Juries are holding a mass action event in defiance of the ban against Palestine Action.
Lift the Ban: Actions
Over 1500 people so far have been arrested at Lift The Ban events for holding signs which read “I oppose genocide – I support Palestine Action”. 29 people were arrested at Parliament Square in London on July 5th, the day the ban came into effect. On the following Saturday, 46 arrests at Parliament Square took place for the same act, as well as dozens of actions in other locations across the UK.
On August 9th, over 500 people were arrested in what was reportedly the largest number of arrests for civil disobedience in recent memory. On September 6th, the number was 857 (although not all sitters were arrested on this occasion.) Almost all arrests have take place for allegedly breaching Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000, under accusation of supporting a proscribed organisation. All arrestees have been released on bail.
On August 9th, over 500 people were arrested for holding signs which said ‘I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action’ .
Around 1,500 people joined another peaceful sign-holding action on September 6th in London, with 857 arrests.
The next Lift The Ban action will take place on October 4th in London’s Trafalgar Square (relocated from Parliament Square).
Dear Assistant Commissioner,
(October 2, 2025)
First let us say that we utterly condemn the attack on the Jewish community in Manchester today.
This is what genuine terrorism looks like and we join with others in condemning it unreservedly.
As we have pointed out in our, sadly unacknowledged and unanswered, letters to Met Commissioner Mark Rowley, it has always been the choice of the Metropolitan Police whether or not to make arrests at our protests. Amnesty International has advised Mark Rowley that these arrests fall foul of international law and our fundamental rights.
As you know we are making two demands of the government: that it reverse the ban on a domestic protest group that poses no risk to the public; and secondly that the government take action in line with its obligations to prevent genocide.
It is unfortunate that the Home Office has not decided to rescind the ban in the wake of the ever-growing defiance and has chosen instead to put an increasing and unnecessary strain on police resources. According to your letter, it appears the political oversight in proscribing Palestine Action, which aimed to save lives in Palestine, is taking away from the police protecting the community from those who seek to take lives.
As I’m sure you will understand, the protection of our democracy and the prevention of countless deaths are critical issues. Therefore, our protest will go ahead as planned for this Saturday.
We urge you therefore to choose to prioritise protecting the community, rather than arresting those peacefully holding signs in opposition to the absurd and draconian ban of a domestic direct action group.
We hope you make the right choice to not arrest those taking part, and correctly deploy counter-terrorism resources this weekend.
Please understand that some 1,500 people have given deep consideration to committing to this nonviolent action which, as the Met has repeatedly pointed out, comes with serious risks. We hope you respect our fundamental right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression.
Yours sincerely,
Defend Our Juries
Defend Our Juries vows to continue with protest despite pleas from Met
Organisers of a pro-Palestine protest planned in central London have insisted it will go ahead despite calls from police and the Home Secretary to delay or cancel.
Protest group Defend Our Juries has organised a demonstration on Saturday in Trafalgar Square, and claimed on Friday: “Cancelling peaceful protests lets terror win”.
Lift The Ban – London – October 4th Action
The next Lift The Ban action will take place at Parliament Square in London on October 4th at 1pm. Sign up here to make a commitment to standing with 1,500 others to demand the de-proscription of Palestine Action, and an end to UK complicity in genocide.
Please read the Action Briefing Document in full before committing to this action. There is a significant risk of arrest for those who take part. The action will only go ahead if 1,500 people make a commitment.
500+ people committed to action on August 9th, over 1,000 people committed in September – Defend Our Juries made clear our intention to continue to oppose this absurd ban until it is overturned. A Judicial Review is pending in November, but the Home Office can, and should, overturn this ban before that time.
Moment Palestinian flag is raised outside embassy in London
The Palestinian flag was raised outside Palestine‘s mission to the UK in London on Monday after Keir Starmer made a statement over the weekend formally recognising a Palestinian state.
UK PM meets Palestinian leader ahead of statehood recognition
(September 8, 2025)
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas Monday in London, as the UK government edges towards recognising a Palestinian state.
UK‘s Starmer meets Mahmoud Abbas ahead of Palestine recognition
(September 8, 2025)
Abbas welcomed the UK‘s „pledge to recognising a Palestinian state ahead of the UN General Assembly meeting later this month, unless Israel changes its course“, the spokesperson added.
Eight hours after the protest began and hundreds remain in Parliament Square to oppose the proscription of Palestine Action. This will go down as one of the biggest mass acts of civil disobedience in British history. Join the mass defiance of the ban: wedonotcomply.org
(September 6, 2025)
Over 800 Arrested at Protest After Pro-Palestinian Group Banned as Terrorist
The Defend Our Juries group, which organized the demonstration, advised protesters to passively resist arrest and refuse to give police their names and addresses, to force officers to take them into custody.
Six people accused of organizing Defend Our Juries meetings were arrested hours before a scheduled news conference on Tuesday and charged with encouraging support for Palestine Action, an offense for which those found guilty can be sentenced to up to 14 years in prison.
When the rescheduled news conference took place without them on Wednesday, Defend Our Juries supporters accused the British government and the police of attacking free speech and the right to protest.
1000 Palestine action arrested Part 2
Started streaming 17 minutes ago #PalestineAction #Israel #London
#PalestineAction #Israel #London #ParliamentSquare #metpolice #Arrest #Palestine #Hamas #KeirStarmer #gaza
1000 Palestine action protesters arrested and demand to be taken into custody 6/9/25
Streamed live 3 hours ago #PalestineAction #Israel #London
#PalestineAction #Israel #London #ParliamentSquare #metpolice #Arrest #Palestine #Hamas #KeirStarmer #gaza
Ex-adviser to the King on his Palestine Action protest arrest
(August 13, 2025)
A knight of the realm and long-time adviser to the King when Prince of Wales, Sir Jonathon Porritt, speaks to Newsnight about his arrest for supporting Palestine Action. Interview by Victoria Derbyshire.
Hundreds Arrested In London for Opposing Ban on Nonviolent Group Palestine Action
British campaigners reported Saturday that the sheer volume of people who showed up in London‘s Parliament Square to support the nonviolent advocacy group Palestine Action presented a major challenge for the Metropolitan Police, who had threatened to arrest anyone supporting the organization.
The campaign group Defend Our Juries reported that as of 4:00 pm local time, at least 200 people had been arrested for joining the protest, where more than 1,000 sat silently in the square with many displaying signs that read: „I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.“
Others held signs reading, „Is this why you joined the police?“ as officers arrested demonstrators including National Health Service workers; a blind man using a wheelchair; author Jonathon Porritt; and former Guantánamo Bay detainee Moazzam Begg, who now advocates for wrongly-imprisoned people swept up in the War on Terror.
Woman wearing Palestine Action T-shirt arrested
The woman was wearing a T-shirt with the slogan „We are all Palestine Action“.
Palestine Action became a proscribed organisation in July under the Terrorism Act, making membership of or support for the group a criminal offence. Two men were also cautioned for the same offence.
Police say they arrested a 43-year-old man for disorderly behaviour.
British Police Arrest Hundreds of Pro-Palestinian Protesters Who Defied Anti-Terror Law
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the British Parliament to hold signs reading „I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action,“ in what they said was a protest for freedom of expression.
By doing so, the protesters violated a law passed by the British Parliament in early July that classified Palestine Action as a terror organization and made it illegal for anyone to publicly show support for it.
Palestine Action March LIVE: UK Police Arrest More Than 50 at Banned Palestine Action Group | N18G
Hundreds had descended on the square for the demonstration as part of a busy weekend of protests in the capital. The Met said it had drafted in officers from other forces to form a “significant policing presence” and warned it would arrest anyone expressing support for the proscribed group.
Clusters of officers were seen escorting protesters carrying placards backing Palestine Action through swelling crowds to waiting police vans on the edge of the square.
LIVE: Pro-Palestine Protests in London | Authorities Fire Tear Gas ? | Palestine Solidarity Live
Hundreds of Palestine Action activists are reportedly aiming to provoke mass arrests in an attempt to overwhelm police forces and pressure the UK government to lift its ban on the group.
LIFT THE BAN
Following intensive lobbying by representatives of the Israeli government and the arms industry such as Lord Walney, dishonestly presented to the public as ‘independent advisers’, Palestine Action have been branded as a ‘terrorist organisation’, for trying to stop crimes against humanity and for exposing the British government’s complicity in genocide.
A peaceful sign-holding action involving at least 500 people is taking place on August 9th 2025.
Over 500 ready to risk arrest to protest Palestine Action ban on Saturday
Over 500 people are set to participate in a protest against the UK government’s ban on the direct action group Palestine Action, putting to the test a pledge by the Metropolitan Police to arrest anyone showing support for the proscribed organisation.
Campaign group Defend Our Juries (DOJ) is organising the protest on Saturday in Parliament Square to demand the reversal of the group’s proscription, saying that the protest would only go ahead if at least 500 people committed to joining.
As of Monday evening, the group said that as many as 1,000 people had signed up, confirming on Tuesday that it would go ahead.
The protest will involve participants holding cardboard signs reading: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”
Activists Hijack London Bus Ads Over Palestine Action Ban
Activists from Greenpeace UK have rebranded bus stops across London with posters reading “Protesting genocide is not terrorism.”
More than 500 people have pledged to hold “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action” signs today in central London, as part of a campaign to end the proscription of Palestine Action.
The Met Police have said they will arrest all participants, regardless of capacity constraints.
Political Statement of the Global Alliance for Palestine
On 26 July 2025, the inaugural London conference for the Global Alliance for Palestine convened in London, bringing together representatives from over 65 organisations across 25 countries. Political leaders, grassroots movements, and campaigns united in a historic gathering to strengthen global solidarity with the Palestinian struggle. Among the distinguished speakers were Rt. Hon. Jeremy Corbyn MP, Dr Mustafa Barghouti, Gerry Adams, Reverand Frank Chikane, and Hon. Angelo Bonelli.
At this critical moment in history, as the Palestinian people continue to endure occupation, apartheid, siege, and systematic violations of their fundamental rights, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to their struggle for freedom, justice, self-determination, and the right of return.
*Nearly 100 more arrested today, ahead of major escalation of protests on 9 August* 55 arrests in Parliament Square, 19 in Bristol, 16 in Manchester, 8 in Truro. No arrests in Derry, Edinburgh, Chichester, Buddafield or the Hague
Defend Our Juries said:
“Just a few weeks ago, being arrested under the Terrorism Act was the stuff of nightmares. Now it’s a badge of honour that people are wearing with pride – the mark of resistance to genocide and standing firm for our democratic freedoms. This is a major cultural shift. For years, the Terrorism laws and the Prevent programme have been used to divide and rule communities, and to marginalise Muslim communities in particular. Thanks to Yvette Cooper’s hubris, they are now helping to bring us together.”
Press release in full:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_vL-LpB0L5QrVYz0dgvpWEqNqSneERdOhZ7o7rVRpNU/edit?usp=sharing
55 arrested in London for protesting Gaza genocide and Palestine Action ban
Fifty-five people were arrested in London during a protest against the UK government’s ban on the activist group Palestine Action. The protest was organised by Defend Our Juries, a civil liberties group that has coordinated three consecutive weekend demonstrations since the ban.
Mass arrests in London at Palestine Action solidarity protest
The Metropolitan Police said 55 people were arrested under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 for holding the signs in support of the banned group.
London police arrest 55 for supporting banned Palestine Action group
London’s Metropolitan Police say they have arrested 55 people under anti-terrorism laws at a demonstration in support of the banned group Palestine Action in the British capital. Protesters had gathered in central London for a third Saturday in a row to protest the pro-Palestinian group’s proscription under “anti-terrorism” laws, making it a crime to support the organisation punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
UK arrests 83-year-old priest Reverend Sue Parfitt for backing Palestine Action | Maktoob
An 83-year-old retired priest, Reverend Sue Parfitt, was among 27 arrested for defying a newly enforced ban on pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action, just hours after the group was formally outlawed by the UK government.
Supporters of banned Palestine Action group arrested at London protest
Police have arrested protesters in London for supporting activist group Palestine Action, which was banned at midnight in the United Kingdom.
“Officers have arrested more than 20 people on suspicion of offences under the Terrorism Act 2000. They have been taken into custody. Palestine Action is a proscribed group and officers will act where criminal offences are committed,” the Metropolitan Police wrote on X on Saturday.
Tens of thousands join pro-Palestinian marches in London and Berlin
Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters marched in London and Berlin on Saturday calling for an end to the war in Gaza, amid concerns that the Iran-Israel conflict could spark wider regional devastation.
Palestine march live sees thousands on street as Government decision branded ‚absolutely horrendous‘
Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters are marching towards Whitehall from Russell Square in central London.
Protesters waved Palestinian flags and chanted “free, free Palestine”, “occupation no more, Israel is a terrorist state” and “stop bombing Iran”.
Many chanted “shame on you” as they walked past dozens of counter-protesters, organised by pro-Israeli group Stop The Hate, near Waterloo Bridge.
A pro-Palestine protester said it is “absolutely horrendous” that the Government is preparing to ban Palestine Action.