Over 40 Arrested in London Over Palestine Action Protest
In London, police detained more than 40 protesters on Saturday during a rally in support of Palestine Action, a group recently banned under UK anti-terrorism laws.
Campaign group Defend Our Juries organized the protest in Parliament Square, calling the government’s decision “an Orwellian attack on free speech.” Footage from the event shows peaceful demonstrators holding signs before being detained near the Mahatma Gandhi statue.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrests on social media, citing violations of the Terrorism Act 2000, which now makes it a criminal offence to express support for any proscribed organization. Protesters were reportedly warned in advance that any public endorsement of Palestine Action could lead to prosecution.
The group was outlawed earlier this month after it claimed responsibility for a £7 million vandalism incident involving RAF aircraft in southern England. The UK government argues the ban is necessary for national security, while rights groups have raised alarms about its implications for freedom of expression.
The Gaza airstrikes and the UK crackdown on pro-Palestinian activists highlight the growing tension surrounding the conflict, both in war zones and in democratic societies debating the limits of dissent.
Human rights organizations have called for international intervention in Gaza and a review of protest laws in the UK. As the Gaza death toll climbs and free speech clashes with anti-terror enforcement, pressure mounts on global leaders to find a resolution that prioritizes human life and civil liberties.
