Hundreds Arrested in London protests Supporting Proscribed Group Palestine Action
Amid heightened tensions following a deadly attack on a Manchester synagogue, over 355 individuals were arrested in central London on Saturday during demonstrations in support of Palestine Action, a group outlawed by teh UK government in July.The protests, organized by Defend Our Juries, unfolded despite explicit warnings from ministers and law enforcement officials urging postponement in the wake of the tragic events in Manchester.
The Metropolitan Police reported that as of 5:20 PM, 355 arrests had been made for offenses related to supporting a proscribed institution. the majority of those remaining in Trafalgar Square were described as onlookers displaying placards in support of palestine Action, with arrests continuing throughout the afternoon.
The demonstrations sparked a national debate about the balance between freedom of expression and public safety, notably in the context of rising antisemitism and ongoing conflict in Gaza. Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labor Party, urged protesters to “respect the grief of British Jews,” a sentiment echoed by numerous Jewish community leaders.
Though, organizers defended their decision to proceed, arguing that cancelling the protest would be tantamount to surrendering to fear. Zoe Cohen, a member of Defend Our Juries, articulated a complex emotional landscape, stating, “I think it’s possible for us to be compassionate and open our hearts to victims of multiple atrocities at one time.” Cohen, identifying as Jewish, expressed grief over both the synagogue attack and the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, adding, “if today’s vigil had been cancelled we would have been letting terror win.”
The protests were preceded by a letter from the Metropolitan Police to Defend Our Juries expressing concern that the demonstration would divert crucial police resources from “visible reassurance and protective security” for communities. The group responded by asserting that police should “prioritize protecting the public from real terrorism, and not waste resources on enforcing the absurd and ridiculous ban on palestine Action.”
Prior to the main gathering in Trafalgar Square, protesters briefly displayed two banners over Westminster Bridge bearing the slogans “I oppose genocide” and “I support Palestine Action.” Officers swiftly removed the banners and arrested those involved. A similar, smaller demonstration involving approximately 100 supporters took place outside Manchester Cathedral, organized by the Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine, to commemorate “two years of genocide in Gaza.”
The timing of the protests is particularly sensitive, occurring just days after the deaths of adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, who were killed when Jihad Al-Shamie drove a car into people outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Manchester. Al-Shamie was subsequently shot dead by police after attempting to enter the synagogue. Three others were injured in the attack.
The Community Security Trust (CST), a charity dedicated to protecting the jewish community, criticized the protests as “phenomenally tone deaf.” Dave Rich, a spokesperson for the CST, argued that diverting police resources from protecting Jewish communities to support a proscribed organization was “remarkably self absorbed and insensitive.” He emphasized that supporting palestine Action is distinct from supporting the palestinian people.
The government proscribed Palestine Action in July following actions by activists that included breaking into an RAF base and damaging military aircraft. the group is currently challenging the ban in court. The Metropolitan Police deployed 1,500 officers to Trafalgar Square in anticipation of the protests, noting that the process of arresting individuals who refused to leave the square required a minimum of five officers per arrest. The force stated that the bulk of those arrested were detained for gathering in Trafalgar Square, while six were arrested for the banner display on Westminster Bridge.
