In a historic operation, police arrested 474 during a massive protest in London against the ban on Palestine Action, now classified as a terrorist group.

On Saturday, the Metropolitan Police cleared Parliament Square and Whitehall, arresting 466 protesters supporting Palestine Action. Additional arrests included five for assaulting officers.

 

The arrest tally marked the highest in a single operation in over a decade, with officers bolstered from other forces to manage the anticipated detentions.

The demonstration, organised by Defend Our Juries, drew around 500-600 participants. Despite the peaceful nature of the protest, many were arrested simply for holding signs supporting Palestine Action.

 

Defend Our Juries criticised the arrests as a response to public backlash against the government's policies, which they claim are complicit in international conflicts. They noted that most arrested individuals received street bail and were allowed to return home.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the ban, citing national security concerns and describing Palestine Action as a non-peaceful entity. She thanked the police for maintaining order and reiterating the government's stance.

 

Demonstration participants, including some elderly protesters, carried signs stating opposition to genocide and support for Palestine Action. Many expressed frustration over being labelled as terrorists for engaging in peaceful protest.

Among those arrested, Suzan Broom expressed gratitude to fellow demonstrators, while Zoe, another participant, dismissed claims of terrorism, highlighting the peaceful intent of their actions. Zoe wore a patch reading "Jews Against Genocide" to communicate solidarity and reject violent conflict.

Amnesty International and other rights groups condemned the mass arrests, highlighting concerns over freedom of expression and the expansive nature of UK terrorism laws. The demonstration, they argued, posed no threat of violence.

 

An unexpected ally, Robert Del Naja from Massive Attack, joined the protest, criticising the UK's growing authoritarianism. Demonstrators continued to voice dissent even as arrests took place publicly outside Scotland Yard.

Despite the crackdown, the protest highlighted wide public disapproval of the government's policies on Palestine Action, igniting a larger conversation about civil liberties and the right to protest in the UK.

 

The Home Office maintained that the ban specifically targets Palestine Action rather than broader Palestinian advocacy and stressed the importance of protecting the right to protest. They announced charges against three individuals accused of supporting the banned group.

Meanwhile, the government committed £8.5 million in aid to Gaza, following criticism of Israel's expansion plans. The actions underscore the complex socio-political landscape that protesters are navigating in their activism.

 

As the situation unfolds, the debate over the balance between security and freedom continues, with this demonstration marking a significant moment in the ongoing conflict over protest rights and government policies.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Guardian 2025-08-10

 

Like a chickens for more KFC's protest? Just deport these rainbow creatures off to Palestine for a week, see how their heros deal with the woke LGBT++++++ crowd of delusional wokies.

33 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

Many expressed frustration over being labelled as terrorists for engaging in peaceful protest.

 

 

Now you know how ordinary people feel, about getting labelled RW, XRW and all sorts of Ism's and Ist's.

 

Suck it up.

19 minutes ago, The Cyclist said:

 

 

Now you know how ordinary people feel, about getting labelled RW, XRW and all sorts of Ism's and Ist's.

 

Suck it up.

Except being labelled a terrorist carries the real possibility of a prison sentence and life long impacts.

 

So no, nothing at all like your ism’s and ist’s.

What this generation of politicians fails to understand is that the country does NOT belong to them. but to the future, present and past generations, who quite rightly IMHO, do NOT support the current level of illegal immigrants, or the money spent on them, especially at the expense of those who are homeless and penniless.

 

I don't just blame the current Labour party, but ALL the many Tory and Labour governments going back many years.

What are these morons doing there. The worthless government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that the UK will recognise the State of Palestine unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza and improves humanitarian conditions.

Now they are backing the terrorrists from Palestinian Action. Apparently they've been taking demented elderly people out of their nursing home to boost their numbers.

43 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Except being labelled a terrorist carries the real possibility of a prison sentence and life long impacts.

 

You know what,

 

I could not give a monkeys. Do not go on the streets supporting a proscribed organisation.

 

Stick that in your pipe and smoke it.

These racist scum need to be made an example of

5 minutes ago, The Cyclist said:

 

You know what,

 

I could not give a monkeys. Do not go on the streets supporting a proscribed organisation.

 

Stick that in your pipe and smoke it.

Thank you for taking the time to respond to someone for which you don’t give a monkey’s.

1 minute ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Thank you for taking the time to respond to someone for which you don’t give a monkey’s.

 

My pleasure.

 

Make my day even further, tell me you were one of the 474 arrested.

 

I promise, I won't laugh, much.

33 minutes ago, vangrop said:

What are these morons doing there. The worthless government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that the UK will recognise the State of Palestine unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza and improves humanitarian conditions.

Now they are backing the terrorrists from Palestinian Action. Apparently they've been taking demented elderly people out of their nursing home to boost their numbers.

 

They never say where they think this mythical Palestine is, it's NOT Israel

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Except being labelled a terrorist carries the real possibility of a prison sentence and life long impacts.

 

So no, nothing at all like your ism’s and ist’s.

 

Tell that to Lucy Connoly.

22 minutes ago, WayWokeWhiteGuy said:

These racist scum need to be made an example of

It isn't about race as much as it is about ideology

Keep in mind members of Palestine Action broke into an RAF base and damaged two planes.  That's terrorism by any definition. It's totally justified for the U.K. government to ban the group.

 

Pro-Palestinian activists charged with damaging planes at a UK air base are held in custody

LONDON (AP) — Four pro-Palestinian protesters were held in custody Thursday after their first appearance in a London court on charges they damaged two Royal Air Force planes with red paint and crowbars.

https://apnews.com/article/raf-brize-norton-palestine-action-planes-8467a20bcd088e24c3fe061852b33ba2

The death of a country in painful slow motion 🤔

The death of free expression, I'm a proud member of Palestine Action & I would have been #475,

This all ties in with the love - or lack of love - for nature itself.

 

The present, and the future, does not belong to compromised politicians. Humans are not some error of nature. Nature is us. We are nature.

 

Our biggest problems are apathy and ignorance. We must unite to fulfill our true destiny.

2 minutes ago, Stiddle Mump said:

This all ties in with the love - or lack of love - for nature itself.

 

The present, and the future, does not belong to compromised politicians. Humans are not some error of nature. Nature is us. We are nature.

 

Our biggest problems are apathy and ignorance. We must unite to fulfill our true destiny.

Tell that to ISIS...........

 

What time is your sermon today, are you expecting a packed congregation..............🤐

Where is Soros when you need him ?

Should have been 47.000 arrested , totally flooding the police.

Of course no lefty DA's in the UK with get out of jail-free cards.

10 minutes ago, transam said:

Tell that to ISIS...........

 

What time is your sermon today, are you expecting a packed congregation..............🤐

We must unite Trans bro. Cast aside apathy and educate ourselves. It is only by truth that we humans can fulfill our destiny.

 

Our destiny is simple. Ensure that everyone has clean water, nutritious food and fresh air. Wars must stop. The evil doers must be sidelined. It is our responsibility to ensure that our beautiful, bountiful earth, is preserved for the next generation of humans and animals.

 

Holding up a sign that says, "End Genocide," can now get you a prison sentence.  Obviously the UK is striving toward peak Orwellianism.  

Man, I never thought I'd live to see the day, but?  It's here.

2 hours ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Like a chickens for more KFC's protest? Just deport these rainbow creatures off to Palestine for a week, see how their heros deal with the woke LGBT++++++ crowd of delusional wokies.

"Rainbow creatures"? What on earth are you on about? You do realise this wasn't a Pride march, or are you just content to blame the gays for everything?

18 minutes ago, Stiddle Mump said:

We must unite Trans bro. Cast aside apathy and educate ourselves. It is only by truth that we humans can fulfill our destiny.

 

Our destiny is simple. Ensure that everyone has clean water, nutritious food and fresh air. Wars must stop. The evil doers must be sidelined. It is our responsibility to ensure that our beautiful, bountiful earth, is preserved for the next generation of humans and animals.

go take your pills

 

urgently

20 minutes ago, Stiddle Mump said:

We must unite Trans bro. Cast aside apathy and educate ourselves. It is only by truth that we humans can fulfill our destiny.

 

Our destiny is simple. Ensure that everyone has clean water, nutritious food and fresh air. Wars must stop. The evil doers must be sidelined. It is our responsibility to ensure that our beautiful, bountiful earth, is preserved for the next generation of humans and animals.

 

Sounds like you need the final solution, a Hitler type of thing, I mean, if you try and do your thing with ISIS types, you will end up short of a head.....😬

 

You do read like a religious nut, chap.........🤥

I'm starting to think John Lennon had it sorted and right ....................

We must fight for free speech. 
How can one join this Palestine Action?

27 minutes ago, Jim Blue said:

I'm starting to think John Lennon had it sorted and right ....................

 

 

Bagism......totally impractical.....but you can see the point he was making and the impact it would have on society.

1 hour ago, unblocktheplanet said:

The death of free expression, I'm a proud member of Palestine Action & I would have been #475,

 

Where is this Palestine you want to free then?

1 hour ago, Evil Penevil said:

Keep in mind members of Palestine Action broke into an RAF base and damaged two planes.  That's terrorism by any definition. It's totally justified for the U.K. government to ban the group.

Some members, maybe only 2. No reason to brand the whole group terrorists.

All the protesters look peaceful to me.

Just now, proton said:

 

Where is this Palestine you want to free then?

Gaza and West Bank.