UK: London Police Detain Nearly 500 Protesters During Palestine Action Demonstration

Image: Jihad Watch

London witnessed mass arrests on Saturday as nearly 500 individuals were detained during a large-scale protest against the UK government’s ban on the organisation Palestine Action, which was declared a proscribed terror group in July this year.

The demonstration, described by organisers as a “silent vigil,” was intended to be the largest public gathering so far in defiance of the ban. Protesters assembled peacefully in central London, sitting in rows while holding placards and writing messages of solidarity with Palestine Action using pens and paper. However, police began making arrests shortly after 1 p.m., with the first detainee reportedly being a protester who displayed visible support for the outlawed group.

Witnesses noted that the gathering attracted a wide mix of participants — including young activists, students, and a significant number of retirees — all expressing their dissent in a calm, non-violent manner. By around 3 p.m., organisers estimated that nearly 1,000 people had joined the vigil, though this figure fell short of expectations for a record-breaking turnout.

The Metropolitan Police later confirmed that the total number of arrests from the operation stood at 492. Of these, 488 individuals were detained on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation, a criminal offence under UK anti-terror laws. The remaining arrests were linked to separate charges, including public disorder, common assault, intoxication, and unrelated outstanding warrants.

Despite the high number of arrests, organisers have vowed to continue challenging what they describe as an unjust crackdown on free expression and political dissent. Meanwhile, authorities have defended their actions, insisting that enforcement was necessary to uphold the law and ensure public safety amid growing tensions surrounding pro-Palestinian activism in the UK.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)