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Over 425 Arrested at Parliament Square Protest Against Palestine Action Ban

The arrests follow the government's Terrorism Act designation of the group, which makes public support a criminal offense punishable by lengthy sentences.

Overview

  • The Metropolitan Police said more than 425 people were detained by 9pm, including at least 25 arrested on suspicion of assaulting officers and other public order offenses.
  • Police reported an exceptional level of abuse and deployed over 2,500 officers, with batons drawn during clashes as some protesters threw objects and a demonstrator was seen bleeding.
  • Organisers estimated around 1,500 attended, with many elderly participants, and advised tactics such as refusing street bail and going floppy to slow processing.
  • Amnesty International and demonstrators described the action as peaceful sign‑holding and condemned terrorism‑law arrests as disproportionate and a threat to free expression.
  • Palestine Action was proscribed in July after the Brize Norton paint‑spraying incident, and a High Court judicial review of the ban is pending as the Home Office moves to challenge permission for the case.