More than 200 people were arrested at a protest in central London on Saturday as demonstrators gathered for the first mass demonstration opposing the proscription of Palestine Action since the group’s ban was ruled unlawful by the high court.
Hundreds of people assembled in Trafalgar Square, where many carried signs reading: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” Others sat on camping chairs or on the ground while holding their placards during the afternoon protest.
By 4.50pm, the Metropolitan police said 212 people had been arrested. The force said those detained were aged between 27 and 82.
The demonstration marked a significant moment for supporters of the group, taking place after the high court ruling that found the ban unlawful. The protest drew a large crowd into the heart of London and led to a significant police operation throughout the afternoon.
Arrests and detentions were reported as the rally continued in Trafalgar Square, with officers responding to the gathering as it grew in size. The event was described as the first mass demo since the legal ruling, and the police figures indicated the scale of the response by late afternoon.
The gathering added to the ongoing attention around the legal and political status of Palestine Action. Saturday’s protest was notable not only for its size but also for the direct challenge it posed to the group’s proscription.
