British authorities arrested 325 people at a London protest Saturday in what represents one of the largest mass arrests related to the controversial ban on Palestine Action, a group designated as terrorist by both the UK and United States governments.
London’s Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrests Sunday, stating that 320 of those detained were charged specifically for expressing support for a proscribed organization under the Terrorism Act. The demonstration took place outside the US embassy, according to AFP reporting.
The protest was organized ahead of a critical Supreme Court hearing scheduled to begin Wednesday, where the UK government’s July 2025 decision to outlaw Palestine Action under anti-terror legislation will face a two-day legal challenge.
Government Ban and Legal Challenges
The British government’s designation places Palestine Action on the same terror blacklist as Palestinian militants Hamas. Under current law, membership in or support for Palestine Action carries a potential prison sentence of up to 14 years.
The United States followed suit in August, with the Trump administration designating Palestine Action as a terrorist organization as part of what it describes as an intensified campaign against left-wing movements.
According to campaigners and police tallies cited in the AFP report, the ban has resulted in more than 4,000 arrests since its implementation, including many senior citizens and Holocaust survivors who have shown support for the group.
Coordinated Demonstrations Across the UK
Saturday’s arrests in London were part of what organizers called a “mass action” timed to coincide with the upcoming Supreme Court appeal. The demonstration represented a direct challenge to the government’s ban, with protesters gathering in significant numbers despite the legal risks.
A smaller rally also took place outside the US consulate in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Saturday. While no arrests were made at the Scottish demonstration at the time, Police Scotland indicated Sunday that investigations are ongoing.
“Enquiries are ongoing to identify people seen wearing t-shirts and holding banners showing support for a proscribed organisation,” Police Scotland said in a statement shared with AFP. “Evidence is being reviewed and further action will be taken as appropriate.”
Legal and Political Stakes
The Supreme Court hearing beginning Wednesday will examine the legal grounds for the government’s designation of Palestine Action as a terrorist organization. The outcome could have significant implications for protest rights and the application of anti-terror legislation to activist groups in the UK.
The scale of arrests on Saturday underscores the tensions surrounding the ban, which critics argue criminalizes political expression and support for Palestinian causes. The fact that such a large number of people were willing to risk arrest by attending the demonstration suggests strong opposition to the government’s classification of the group.
The Metropolitan Police’s confirmation that the vast majority of arrests were specifically for expressing support for a proscribed organization rather than for other public order offenses highlights how the Terrorism Act is being applied in these cases.
As the Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments on the ban’s legality, Saturday’s mass arrests demonstrate that the controversy over Palestine Action’s designation remains a flashpoint in British politics, intersecting debates over counterterrorism policy, free speech, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2026/11/01/uk-police-arrest-325-at-protest-supporting-banned-palestine-action-terror-group/