Mass Arrests in London! 365 Protesters Detained Over Palestine Action Ban Whats Happening?
In a dramatic escalation, London’s Metropolitan Police arrested 365 people during a major protest in central London on Saturday, August 9, 2025, marking the largest demonstration since the UK government banned Palestine Action as a terrorist organization in June.
The protest, organized by Defend Our Juries, drew hundreds to Parliament Square to challenge the ban and express solidarity with Palestinian rights. The event has sparked heated debate about civil liberties, government policy, and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with many questioning the heavy-handed police response.
A Significant Police Operation
Anticipating a large turnout, the Metropolitan Police deployed officers from across the UK to maintain a “significant policing presence” in the capital. By 6 p.m., 365 arrests had been made, with seven related to other offenses, including five for assaults on officers, though no serious injuries were reported.
The police targeted demonstrators holding signs referencing Palestine Action, which was outlawed after activists vandalized RAF aircraft at Brize Norton. The ban makes supporting or being a member of the group a crime punishable by up to 14 years in prison under the Terrorism Act 2000.
The protest began at 1 p.m., but arrests started earlier as officers moved in on those displaying signs. Most of those detained were given street bail and allowed to return home, a point critics argue undermines the government’s labeling of the protest as a terrorism-related event.
“The police have only arrested a fraction of those supposedly committing ‘terrorism’ offenses,” a Defend Our Juries spokesperson said, calling the law “widely ridiculed” and an embarrassment to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
Voices of Defiance
Hundreds gathered in Parliament Square, with Defend Our Juries estimating “approximately 1,000 sign-holders” attended, though the police reported 500 to 600 participants. Demonstrators held signs reading, “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action,” observing a silent protest from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
The atmosphere was described as “peaceful and moving” by Suzan Broom, a bystander who cheered those arrested. “I’ve been saying thank you because I’m too scared,” she admitted, highlighting the courage of protesters risking arbroader
One woman, dragged away by police, shouted, “Arrest the people complicit in the genocide,” pointing toward Parliament. Two women in their 70s, arrested mid-interview, defended Palestine Action’s actions, arguing that vandalizing RAF aircraft was a protest, not terrorism. “Those planes are the terrorists. They’re killing children,” one said, reflecting widespread frustration with the UK’s stance on the Gaza conflict.
Zoe, another protester wearing a “Jews Against Genocide” patch, emphasized the peaceful nature of the demonstration. “I’m holding a piece of paper, that’s not a terrorist act,” she said. “A terrorist act is intentionally starving 2 million.”
Her words echoed the sentiments of many who feel the government’s ban unfairly targets those opposing what they describe as complicity in Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
A Broader Context
The protest comes amid growing criticism of the UK government’s policies. On Saturday, the government announced an additional £8.5 million in aid to Gaza through a UN agency, a move linked to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s statement that Israel’s expansion plans are “wrong” and will “only bring more bloodshed.” The Foreign Office explicitly tied the aid to Israel’s escalating offensive, signaling a delicate balancing act in UK foreign policy.
The ban on Palestine Action followed an incident in June when activists spray-painted RAF aircraft, prompting the government to classify the group as a terrorist organization. On Thursday, three individuals Jeremy Shippam, 71, Judit Murray, 71, and Fiona Maclean, 53 were charged with supporting the group after a previous protest, marking the first such charges in England and Wales.
Tensions Over Civil Liberties
The mass arrests have reignited debates about freedom of expression. Robert Del Naja of Massive Attack, who joined the protest, called the situation a “manufactured crisis” for UK civil liberties, accusing the government of targeting peaceful citizens.
A Home Office spokesperson defended the ban, stating it targets only Palestine Action’s specific activities and does not restrict broader protests for Palestinian rights. “Freedom to protest is a cornerstone of our democracy,” they said.
As the arrests spark outrage, the demonstration underscores deep public frustration with the Gaza conflict and the UK’s response. The peaceful yet defiant protest, coupled with the government’s aid announcement, highlights the complex interplay of domestic policy, international relations, and human rights.
