British police arrested more than 20 people in London on Saturday for allegedly supporting the newly banned group Palestine Action, just hours after the ban officially came into force. The arrests took place in Parliament Square, Westminster, where demonstrators gathered holding signs showing solidarity with Palestine Action and denouncing alleged war crimes in Gaza.
The UK government banned the activist group under anti-terrorism laws, citing recent incidents including a break-in at a Royal Air Force base and damage to military aircraft. Interior Minister Yvette Cooper defended the decision, saying the group’s violent tactics went beyond acceptable protest and justified proscription. The group lost an emergency appeal against the decision late Friday night.
Under the law, expressing support or displaying symbols of a banned group is considered a criminal offense, punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Britain has now proscribed 81 groups under its terrorism legislation, placing Palestine Action alongside others like Hamas, ISIS, and al-Qaeda.
Despite the new legal restrictions, supporters gathered with placards reading, “I OPPOSE GENOCIDE. I SUPPORT PALESTINE ACTION.” Police led several of them away in handcuffs, including from near a statue of Mahatma Gandhi. Footage aired by Sky News showed protesters loudly chanting their support as officers detained them.
Meanwhile, five pro-Palestinian activists from another group, Youth Demand, were also arrested after they threw red paint on a truck belonging to U.S. tech company Cisco during London’s Pride parade. The protesters glued themselves to the vehicle, claiming Cisco supports Israel through its technology. The parade resumed shortly after, and Cisco has not commented on the incident.
Critics, including civil liberties advocates and UN experts, have warned that equating property damage with terrorism could limit free expression. However, officials maintain that violence and destruction must not be allowed under the banner of protest. The controversy continues to stir debate over the line between activism and criminality in the UK.