Overview

• Hundreds marched through Westminster and gathered in Parliament Square to oppose the government's designation of Palestine Action.
• The Metropolitan Police reported instances of aggressive behavior toward officers during the demonstration.
• British authorities labeled Palestine Action a terrorist organization in early July after activists entered an RAF base and sprayed paint on aircraft.
• UK law criminalizes membership or support of a banned group with penalties of up to 14 years in prison, and media reports count more than 700 arrests so far.
• A group founder is pursuing a legal challenge to the designation, and critics argue the ban suppresses free expression and has led to arrests of largely nonviolent protesters, including pensioners.