Key Points
- Police arrest over 425 during banned-group protest
- Demonstrators defy anti-terror law with slogans
- Officers report being assaulted amid widespread disorder
- Rights groups warn of free speech risks
ISLAMABAD: More than 425 people were arrested in central London on Saturday after supporters of the proscribed activist group Palestine Action gathered in defiance of a government ban, according to reports from Reuters, AP, and The Guardian.
The protest, organised by Defend Our Juries, brought around 1,500 demonstrators to Parliament Square carrying placards that read: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Claire Smart of the Metropolitan Police said officers faced “intolerable” abuse, including punches, kicks, spitting, and objects being thrown. At least 25 arrests were linked to assault or public order offences, while the majority fell under the Terrorism Act for supporting a banned organisation.
Civil liberties concerns
Palestine Action was banned in July after activists damaged military aircraft at an RAF base. The proscription means membership or public endorsement can result in prison terms of up to 14 years, the Financial Times noted. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, argue the move represents a misuse of counterterrorism powers, while UN rights chief Volker Türk has warned it risks silencing legitimate political expression.
Wider pattern of arrests
Saturday’s operation follows similar crackdowns since the ban came into effect. In August, more than 500 people were detained during another London protest, making it one of the largest one-day arrest actions in recent memory. Rights advocates say the cumulative toll — now more than 700 arrests — shows the chilling impact of the ban on public dissent.
