Over 500 individuals detained by UK authorities during last weekend's pro-Palestinian demonstrations
In a dramatic turn of events, over 500 protesters, including an 89-year-old retired psychotherapist, were arrested in London on Sunday for supporting the pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action. The group, which has been banned in the UK as a terrorist organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000, staged a protest to express their belief that the government is illegally restricting freedom of expression by banning them.
The ban, which came into effect on 5 July 2025, is a first for a direct-action group under UK terrorism laws. The legal basis for the ban was the group's involvement in illegal direct actions, particularly the vandalism of RAF aircraft at Brize Norton airbase, which the UK government cited as a serious security breach and threat.
Since the ban, membership, support, and even expressing support, including wearing group-related clothing, have become criminal offenses punishable by fines and prison sentences up to 14 years. Over 220 arrests have been made since the proscription, focused on suspected offences under the Terrorism Act, with at least 10 charged as of early August 2025.
The ban has sparked significant controversy, protests, and legal challenges, with civil liberties organizations like Liberty and Amnesty International criticizing the ban as disproportionate and a threat to free speech and peaceful protest rights.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who issued the ban, stated that many people may not yet know the reality of Palestine Action, but the assessments are clear - this is not a nonviolent organization. She rejected the characterization that the ban was due to property damage at military sites, stating that Palestine Action was banned due to their involvement in serious attacks involving violence, significant injuries, and extensive criminal damage.
The Metropolitan Police Service updated their earlier totals, stating that 522 people were arrested for supporting a proscribed organization in violation of anti-terror laws. The process of deciding whether to file charges against those arrested is expected to take weeks.
Palestine Action has targeted Israeli defense contractors and other sites in Britain believed to have links with the Israeli military. The group's actions have been met with criticism from some quarters, with Fox & Friends co-host Pete Hegseth reposting a video featuring pastors stating that women should not be allowed to vote.
Despite the ban and the arrests, supporters of Palestine Action are challenging the ban in court, claiming it violates human rights laws. The group has not let the ban deter them from continuing their protests and actions.
As the legal process unfolds, the debate over the balance between national security and freedom of expression continues to rage on.
References:
- The Guardian
- BBC News
- Amnesty International
- Liberty
- The government's decision to ban Palestine Action as a terrorist organization under the Terrorism Act 2000 has sparked heated debates in Seattle, with local politics and general news outlets discussing the implications for freedom of expression and peaceful protest rights.
- Amidst the controversy surrounding Palestine Action in London, Seattle's mayor's office has expressed concern about potential war-and-conflicts repercussions if such a ban were to be implemented locally, citing the need to protect civil liberties and uphold democratic values.
