Over 200 people arrested at Palestine Action demonstration
More than 200 people were arrested during a mass protest in central London against the Palestine Action ban; Police confirmed that all detentions were in support of a banned organisation.
The Metropolitan Police stated that 212 people were detained during the demonstration in Trafalgar Square on Saturday.
Among those arrested was Massive Attack musician Robert Del Naja, who was seen holding a “I Support Palestine Action” sign before being taken away by three police officers. According to police, the ages of those arrested ranged from 27 to 82.
The Metropolitan Police reiterated its stance on X, saying officers continued to “make arrests where people have shown support for a banned organisation”.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Trafalgar Square, many holding banners reading “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”
A significant portion of the demonstrators, most of whom were elderly, sat on camp chairs and on the ground and displayed their banners. Large banners were unfurled near the National Gallery at the top of the square, reading “Jurors deserve to hear the whole truth” and “Israel is starving children.”
Mr Del Naja told the Press Association he felt compelled to take part in the protest despite the possible repercussions on his musical career.
He explained: “There was obviously a lot of concern that we might travel as a musician and not get a visa. But I thought ‘this is ridiculous’ and then I thought it was even more ridiculous that the police were making a U-turn again to arrest people. So today I’m going to be holding a banner.”
“If I’m arrested, I feel very confident if I go to court with the right guidance and say ‘this was an unlawful arrest and therefore I’m not taking it’.”
He added: “I think the actions of Palestine Action were deeply patriotic because they largely protected our country from engaging in serious war crimes and breaking international law. How much more patriotic can you get than that?”
Footage of officers arresting Mr. Del Naja and taking him away caused other demonstrators to cheer. Massive Attack is scheduled to begin their summer tour in Europe from May 26 to June 8 in Helsinki, Rattvik, Copenhagen, Berlin and Brussels.
During the arrests, several people, including a gray-haired man and a woman, were taken away by police officers. While the audience was chanting “shame on you” slogans, police were seen carrying a woman participating in the protest.
Another man was led out in handcuffs, and an elderly protester using a cane was escorted to police vans. A woman said, “Yes, he looks like a terrorist, doesn’t he mate?” He was heard shouting.
Protesters accused police of dragging a woman out of the demonstration without supporting her shoulders. The woman was then seen lying with her eyes closed, surrounded by officers and bystanders, while others shouted that she needed medical attention.
One protester made a peace sign as he was being led away, and another said, “Palestine Action is not a banned organization” as he was being led away. Protesters, some carried by their ankles and under their arms, were taken to a fenced area on the edge of Trafalgar Square.
Protest group Defend Our Juries, which organized the event called ‘Everyone’s Day’, said the demonstration would show that “resistance” to the Palestine Action ban was “stronger than ever”.
The Metropolitan Police had previously said Saturday’s protest was “likely to constitute a criminal offense rather than a lawful protest”.
In March, the force announced it would continue to arrest suspected Palestine Action supporters as the Supreme Court battle over the group’s ban continued.
Police temporarily paused arrests in February after the Supreme Court ruled that the government’s ban was unlawful, but decided to continue operations as an appeal against the decision was expected to take several months.
