UK police arrest 48 at protest supporting proscribed Palestine Action

More than 100 people gather outside US Embassy in London, with another demonstration held in Edinburgh

British police arrested 48 people during a demonstration in London on Saturday in support of Palestine Action, which is proscribed as a terrorist organization in the UK, Sky News reported. More than 100 protesters gathered outside the US Embassy in the Nine Elms area of London, with the Metropolitan Police saying the majority of those arrested were detained for “expressing support for a proscribed organisation.” Another demonstration took place outside the US consulate near Holyrood in Edinburgh in support of the group. Defend Our Juries, which organized the demonstrations, said protesters would hold signs reading: “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.” Police had warned that people attending the demonstrations could face arrest for expressing support for the group, including by displaying placards. Expressing support for Palestine Action is an offense under the Terrorism Act after the group was proscribed in June 2025. The protests came ahead of a Supreme Court appeal against the group’s proscription, scheduled for Nov. 4. The High Court ruled in February that the ban was “disproportionate,” but the Court of Appeal ruled in June that proscribing Palestine Action was lawful. A Home Office spokesperson said the Court of Appeal had found that Palestine Action carried out acts of terrorism, celebrated those involved and promoted violence. The spokesperson said the ban did not affect lawful protests in support of the Palestinian cause.