Dozens arrested at London protest supporting banned Palestine Action

Summarised from 9 outlets · 12 reports · Updated 31 Oct, 18:31 · Archive

Police arrested 48 people at a demonstration outside the US embassy in London where protesters showed support for the proscribed group Palestine Action.

Police arrested 48 people at a demonstration outside the US embassy in London on Saturday after protesters showed support for Palestine Action, a group banned as a terrorist organisation under the Terrorism Act following its proscription in June 2025. More than 100 people attended the event in Nine Elms, organised by campaign group Defend Our Juries, holding signs that read 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action'.

Officers began making arrests shortly after 12.30pm, sometimes carrying protesters who refused to walk to police vans parked on Ponton Road. Some protesters could be heard applauding and chanting 'free, free Palestine' as people were taken away and transferred to police stations. The Metropolitan Police imposed a Section 35 dispersal order across parts of London, including the embassy grounds, between 8am and 11pm, giving officers powers to direct people to leave the area.

Express support for the proscribed group is a criminal offence under the Terrorism Act, punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Met Commander Adam Slonecki, leading the policing operation, said those attending the event knew 'that supporting a proscribed organisation is unlawful' and were 'essentially meeting to purposefully commit a crime'. He warned that anyone playing a key role in organising the event or providing logistical support would 'very likely be committing an offence and face enforcement action'.

Defend Our Juries said the demonstration was a response to what it described as an attack on the democratic right to protest. The group accused the Met of being 'terrified of facilitating US embarrassment'. Charles Allison, a 75-year-old retired lawyer from Cumbria, told the Press Association he was protesting because he 'feared for our civil liberties, which are being devalued and watered down'. Sue Morhall, a 79-year-old retiree, said she believed Prime Minister Andy Burnham might overturn the proscription and expressed hope that 'pigs might fly'.

Scotland Yard said Palestine Action-related protests take 'significant police resources away from the neighbourhoods and communities where they are most needed'. According to figures obtained through a freedom of information request, the Met spent £1.3 million policing six 'Palestine-Israel public order events' across June and July 2026.

A similar vigil was held outside the US consulate in Edinburgh. Police Scotland said inquiries to identify people seen wearing t-shirts and holding banners showing support for a proscribed organisation were ongoing. The US government imposed sanctions on Palestine Action in August, designating it as a terrorist organization.

The protest took place ahead of a Supreme Court hearing scheduled for 4 November on an appeal against Palestine Action's designation as a terror group. The ban was upheld by the Court of Appeal in June 2026.

How it is being reported

• London police arrest 48 as hundreds protest Palestine Action banDemonstrations in London and Edinburgh come days before a UK Supreme Court appeal challenging the group's proscription.Al Jazeera · 31 Oct, 18:48
• Pro-Palestinian protesters arrested outside U.S. Embassy in LondonMore than 100 people took part in the protest, with many holding signs reading: "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action."CBS News · 31 Oct, 18:09
• Dozens arrested outside US embassy after showing support for Palestine ActionOfficers started arresting some protesters one by one shortly after 12.30pmDaily Express · 31 Oct, 16:50
• Dozens arrested outside US embassy after showing support for Palestine ActionExpressing support for the group is an offence under the Terrorism Act after it was proscribed in June 2025.Evening Standard · 31 Oct, 16:34
• Hundreds defy Palestine Action ban as dozens arrested for supporting terrorist organisationPolice have arrested dozens of supporters of the proscribed terror group Palestine Action outside the US Embassy in London today. The majority of the 48 protesters were detained for "expressing support for a proscribed organisation", as more than a hundred gathered outside the building in Nine Elms. After its proscription in June 2025, expressing support for Palestine Action is an offence under the Terrorism Act. Officers remain at the scene and continue making arrests. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say More than a hundred demonstrators from Defend Our Juries were protesting outside the US…GB News · 31 Oct, 16:15
• Dozens of arrests made as hundreds attend pro-Palestine Action protest outside US embassyPolice said protesters are ‘essentially meeting to purposefully commit a crime’ as hundreds gather outside US embassyThe Independent · 31 Oct, 16:13
• Dozens arrested outside US embassy after showing support for Palestine ActionExpressing support for the group is an offence under the Terrorism Act after it was proscribed in June 2025.Evening Standard · 31 Oct, 16:06
• More than 100 protest against Palestine Action ban outside US embassy in LondonPolice start arresting demonstrators with Met commander alleging they are ‘essentially meeting to purposefully commit a crime’ Police have started making arrests at the first mass demonstration under Andy Burnham’s premiership opposing the proscription of Palestine Action. More than 100 people gathered outside the US embassy in Battersea, south London, holding signs that read: “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.” Continue reading...The Guardian · 31 Oct, 14:35
• Met Police make first arrests of pro-Palestine Action demonstrators as they pledge support for banned group outside US EmbassyThe protest, organised by Defend Our Juries, was expected to see 400 people show support for the group by holding up signs reading 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action'.Daily Mail · 31 Oct, 13:35
• Dozens arrested for expressing support for Palestine Action at protestDozens of people have been arrested for expressing support for the proscribed organisation Palestine Action.Sky News · 31 Oct, 10:15
• Met Police prepared to arrest 400 Palestine Action supporters at US embassy protestPalestine Action supporters are set to gather outside the US embassy on SaturdayThe Independent · 30 Oct, 14:39
• Met Police warns protesters that they will ALL be arrested if they attend Palestine Action support demonstration this weekendThe Metropolitan Police has warned that all protesters who attend a demonstration in support of Palestine Action in central London this weekend will be arrested. Defend Our Juries - a campaign group which claims to oppose restrictions on civil liberties - has called on activists to take "mass action" outside the US Embassy on Saturday. According to the group, hundreds of demonstrators will gather outside the building in Wandsworth, where they will hold up signs reading: "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action". Ahead of the planned protest, Defend Our Juries said: "Destroying the…GB News · 30 Oct, 14:24

In this story: Palestine Action · Metropolitan Police · Defend Our Juries · US Embassy · Andy Burnham · Adam Slonecki · Charles Allison

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