Police officers detain a protester at 'Everyone Day', a mass vigil and sign-holding event in Trafalgar Square organised by Defend Our Juries to demand the lifting of the ban on Palestine Action, in London, Britain, April 11, 2026 (Reuters)
UK Police make arrests at London protest against Palestine Action ban
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Police arrested multiple demonstrators during a mass vigil in London's Trafalgar Square protesting the UK government's ban on the campaign group Palestine Action.
- Activists condemned the Metropolitan Police for resuming arrests of the group's supporters.
Police arrested individuals during a mass vigil in central London organized to oppose the government's ban on the campaign group Palestine Action.
Arrests in Trafalgar Square
An estimated 1,500 people gathered in Trafalgar Square on Saturday for the demonstration. Attendees were seen holding signs reading, “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”
During the gathering, police officers were seen carrying several individuals away from the demonstration, and at one point, an elderly woman using walking sticks was escorted away by authorities.
Demands and police U-turn
The protest was organized by Defend Our Juries (DOJ), a UK-based activist group. The organization is demanding that the government formally lift the ban on Palestine Action and drop all charges and investigations against individuals arrested under the Terrorism Act for allegedly supporting the campaigners.
The vigil also specifically targeted a recent policy shift by the Metropolitan Police. Following a February 13 High Court ruling that deemed the government’s proscription of Palestine Action unlawful, "disproportionate," and a breach of freedom of expression, the Metropolitan Police initially indicated they were unlikely to arrest individuals for showing support for the group.
However, on March 25, police reversed this stance, announcing they would resume arrests for those displaying support, a move critics argue defies the recent court ruling.
Legal background
The UK government officially proscribed Palestine Action as a “terrorist organisation” in July 2025. Under this designation, membership in or expression of support for the group became a criminal offense, carrying a potential penalty of up to 14 years in prison.
In response to the ban, eight activists linked to the network had staged hunger strikes while in pre-trial detention.
Despite the High Court's February ruling against the ban, the legal battle remains ongoing. The UK government’s appeal against the High Court decision is scheduled to be heard by the Court of Appeal on April 28 and 29.
