Over 200 arrests as hundreds gather in Trafalgar Square for Palestine Action protest

The Metropolitan Police said there had been 212 arrests by 4.50pm on Saturday afternoon at a protest in central London against the Palestine Action ban.

The force said officers were “continuing to make arrests where people are showing support for a proscribed organisation”
Around 100 officers advanced on Palestine Action demonstrators in pairs at the base of Trafalgar Square before making multiple arrests.

Several protesters were carried out of the crowd, including one woman who asked for a pause as she was lifted away, prompting bystanders to shout “stop harming women” as police briefly set her down before continuing.

More than a hundred people, some of whom were holding Palestine flags and wearing keffiyehs, congregated in Trafalgar Square on Saturday afternoon.

One man held a cardboard cut out of Sir Keir Starmer with text that read “I support genocide.

I oppose Palestine action”.

Some 10 police vans were parked by the square and demonstrators unfurled a banner reading “Holocaust survivor descendants against Gaza genocide”.

Over 200 arrests at protest against Palestine Action ban
The Metropolitan Police said there had been 212 arrests by 4.50pm on Saturday at a protest in central London against the Palestine Action ban.

Defend Our Juries says woman, 80, among those arrested
Massive Attack frontman backs protest
Massive Attack musician Robert Del Naja sat with a support Palestine Action sign at the protest on Saturday, despite the consequences a potential arrest could have on his music career.

He said: “Being a musician, obviously, there was a lot of trepidation around how we might not be able to travel and get visas.

“But I thought ‘this is ridiculous’ and then the police making that U-turn to arrest people again, I thought that is even more ridiculous.

“So I’m going to hold a sign today.

If I get arrested, I feel very confident that if I stand up in court with the right guidance and say ‘this was an unlawful arrest and, therefore, I don’t accept it’.

“I think that the actions of Palestine Action were highly patriotic, because they were pretty much protecting our country from getting involved in serious war crimes, and breaking international law.

How much more patriotic can you be than that?”
Woman who lost family in Holocaust describes protesters as 'lovely'
A woman at the demonstration against the ban on Palestine Action said she had nothing but praise for protesters.

Yael Kahn, who used to care for female political prisoners in Gaza before moving to England, told media: “I wish, when my family was exterminated in the Holocaust by Nazi Germany, I wish there were people protesting, like all of these lovely people here.

I absolutely adore them.”
Ms Kahn stood at the edge of the protest on Saturday with a ribbon that read “free Palestine hostages”.

She added: “The police are not arresting those people who actually, their hands, are full, covered in blood, of children, of women, of entire people in the Middle East or West Asia.

“They are not questioning them.”
Defend Our Juries criticises arrests of protesters
Defend Our Juries took to X to criticise the Met Police for arresting protesters.

They wrote: “Police continue to mass arrest protestors under the Terrorism Act for holding signs which say they oppose genocide and support Palestine Action.

This is despite the High Court ruling the Palestine Action ban unlawful.”
Person aged in their 80s is the oldest among 92 arrests so far
Officers have made 92 arrests so far during this afternoon’s protest in Trafalgar Square, as the force reiterated that shoeing support for Palestine Action remains an offence.

A Met spokesman said: “As of 2.50pm, officers have made 92 arrests, all for showing support for a proscribed organisation.

The ages of those arrested range from 27 to 82.

Officers are continuing to make more arrests and a group remains in Trafalgar Square.

“
Huge police presence in Trafalgar Square as arrests continue
There is a massive police presence around Trafalgar Square, and arrests are underway of peaceful protestors.

According to Defend Our Juries, around 600 people had signed up to take part in today’s demonstration.

The event involved people peacefully sitting on the ground, holding signs that read “I oppose genocide.

I support Palestine Action”.

Defend Our Juries accused Met Police of 'lies'
In response to Met Police warnings about today’s event, organisers behind the demonstration said their efforts were peaceful.

“More Met lies,” they wrote on social media.

“There has not been a single instance of prosecution among our supporter base relating to “obstructing officers” or “verbal or physical abuse.” Our actions are peaceful, dignified (from our side, at least) and completely nonviolent.”
What is the Met Police's revised position on Palestine Action support
Although a High Court ruling said the proscription is unlawful, the government is currently appealing the decision.

This might take several months.

As a result, the Met Police revised it’s position, confirming at the end of March that people would still face arrest.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman said: “While the High Court has found the proscription of Palestine Action to be unlawful, it has confirmed the impact of that judgment will not take effect until the Government’s appeal has been considered which could take many months.

“That means it is still a criminal offence to support Palestine Action.”
Police filmed pushing protestors as crowds shout 'shame on you'
Police officers were filmed seemingly pushing demonstrators, as the crowds shouted ‘shame on you’.

Met police are now arresting peaceful protestors holding signs saying “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.”
Even though a High Court deems the group’s proscription unlawful, arrests continue.

Among the activists’ motivations is a call for a free Palestine.

At least 70,000 people have been killed by Israel in Gaza since the latest conflict erupted.