London Police Arrest 365 Individuals as Pro-Palestinian Protesters Defy New Law

In London, police arrested 365 people during a pro-Palestinian protest against a new law banning support for Palestine Action. Activists argue the law infringes on freedom of expression.

British police detained 365 individuals in central London on Saturday. This action followed a protest by supporters of a recently banned pro-Palestinian group. The demonstrators aimed to challenge the government's decision to outlaw Palestine Action. In early July, Parliament enacted a law prohibiting the group, making public support for it illegal. This move came after activists vandalised two tanker planes at a Royal Air Force base.

Protesters Challenge the Ban

More than 500 protesters gathered outside the Houses of Parliament, daring police to arrest them by holding signs that read, "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action." This prompted police intervention. As the protest wound down, organisers and police disagreed over the number of arrests, with organisers claiming the law was ineffective. "The police have only been able to arrest a fraction of those supposedly committing terrorism offences," stated Defend Our Juries.

The Metropolitan Police Service countered these claims, stating that many attendees were onlookers or media personnel. "We are confident that anyone who came to Parliament Square today to hold a placard expressing support for Palestine Action was either arrested or is in the process of being arrested," said the police force.

Reasons Behind the Ban

The government decided to ban Palestine Action following an incident on June 20. Activists broke into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, damaging two tanker planes with red paint and crowbars. The group had previously targeted Israeli defence contractors and other sites linked to Israel's military. Supporters are contesting the ban in court, arguing it infringes on freedom of expression.

Defend Our Juries criticised the government's actions, stating that extending terrorism definitions to include economic damage undermines democracy. "Once the meaning of terrorism is separated from campaigns of violence against a civilian population... then the right to freedom of expression has no meaning," they said on their website.

Protests Across London

The arrests coincided with a weekend full of demonstrations in London. The ongoing Gaza conflict and immigration issues have sparked protests and counterprotests nationwide. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched through central London, ending outside No. 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister's residence.

On Sunday, various groups planned marches demanding the release of Israeli hostages held by Palestinian militants since October 7, 2023. These militants killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostages during their attack on Israel. Currently, 50 hostages remain, with 20 believed alive.

Police prepared for additional protests outside hotels housing asylum-seekers. Recent weeks have seen clashes between protesters and counterprotesters at these locations, with some citing community safety concerns and others condemning anti-immigrant racism.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan noted that these events would strain police resources. "This is going to be a particularly busy few days in London with many simultaneous protests and events that will require a significant policing presence," Adelekan stated before the protests began.

With inputs from PTI