Clashes with police
As per reports, the demonstration turned confrontational within minutes as police began making arrests. Many protesters went limp as they were dragged away, while bystanders shouted slogans such as "Shame on you" and "Met Police, pick a side, justice or genocide." According to officials, more than 25 people were booked for assaulting officers or other public order violations, while the rest were arrested under the Terrorism Act.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Claire Smart said officers faced "intolerable" abuse, claiming they were punched, kicked, spat on and hit with objects. In contrast, Defend Our Juries dismissed these allegations saying it was the police who acted aggressively and termed the claims of violent protesters "frankly laughable."
Voices from the protest
The crackdown drew attention to individuals like Mike Higgins, a 62-year-old blind protester who uses a wheelchair. Higgins, who had earlier been arrested under the Terrorism Act, said he would continue to demonstrate. "And I'm a terrorist? That's the joke of it," he remarked, questioning the government's definition of terrorism.
Why was the group banned?
The UK government banned Palestine Action in July after activists stormed a Royal Air Force base, vandalised planes and sprayed red paint into tanker engines to protest against Britain's support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Officials allege that the group has caused millions of pounds in damage by targeting defence companies and infrastructure linked to Israel's military. Former home secretary Yvette Cooper had argued that "this is not a non-violent organisation". However, the group, has challenged the ban in the high court with a hearing due on September 25.
Concerns over free speech
The ban has attracted international criticism. UN human rights chief Volker Turk said the UK's move "misuses the gravity of terrorism" and warned that applying counterterrorism laws to non-violent activism risked suppressing fundamental freedoms. Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori called the ban "catastrophic" for civil liberties, saying it would create a "chilling effect" on free speech in the UK. The group has also received support from cultural figures such as Irish author Sally Rooney, who pledged to keep funding Palestine Action campaigns.
A look at the wider context
While Israel strongly denies accusations of genocide, the UK government has insisted that banning Palestine Action will not affect other peaceful pro-Palestinian or pro-Israel movements. On the same day as the arrests, nearly 20,000 people joined a separate pro-Palestinian rally in London without incident.
(With inputs from AP)
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