UK: London police have arrested 466 people in central London on Saturday for protesting the British government's decision to ban the pro-Palestinian activist group, Palestine Action, under anti-terrorism laws. As of 9 pm, the Metropolitan Police reported the arrests on the social media platform X.
According to Nam News Network, eight additional arrests were made for other offenses, including five for assaults on officers, though none of the officers were seriously injured. The protests, organized by the group Defend Our Juries, saw large crowds gather at London's Parliament Square on Saturday afternoon. The Metropolitan Police had previously warned that they would arrest anyone showing support for the proscribed group.
Demonstration organizers claimed on social media that over a thousand people attended the protest, displaying signs that read, "I oppose Genocide, I support Palestine Action," in opposition to British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper's ban. However, the Metropolitan Police estimated that approximately 500 to 600 people were present at the start of the demonstration, noting that many were onlookers, media personnel, or individuals not holding placards in support of Palestine Action.
Those arrested during the protest were taken to prisoner processing points in the Westminster area. The police stated that individuals whose details were confirmed were bailed, with conditions prohibiting them from attending further protests in support of Palestine Action.
British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed gratitude to the police for managing what she described as a "very small number of people whose actions crossed the line into criminality." She emphasized that while the right to protest is fiercely protected, it differs significantly from displaying support for a proscribed organization.
Amnesty International UK condemned the arrest of peaceful protesters, describing it as a violation of the UK's international obligations to protect freedom of expression and assembly, in a statement posted on X.
