First gathering since London High Court ruled ban on pro-Palestinian group unlawful in February
Police officers detain a protester at ‘Everyone Day’, a mass vigil and sign-holding event in Trafalgar Square organised by Defend Our Juries to demand the lifting of the ban on Palestine Action, in London, Britain, April 11, 2026. PHOTO:Reuters
London’s Metropolitan Police said on Saturday they had arrested 212 people at a protest in Trafalgar Square opposing Britain’s banning of the Palestine Action group.
The gathering was the first since London’s High Court ruled in February that a ban designating the pro-Palestinian group as a terrorist organisation was unlawful.
UK Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood has been granted approval to appeal the ruling.
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Lawmakers banned Palestine Action — which accuses Britain’s government of complicity in Israeli war crimes in Gaza — under anti-terrorism legislation last July after some members broke into a Royal Air Force base.
During Saturday’s demonstration, placard-holding protesters, some wearing black and white Palestinian scarves and waving Palestinian flags, sat on the ground or on camping chairs.
London’s Metropolitan Police said in a post on X that they were “continuing to make arrests where people are showing support for a proscribed organisation”.
As of 14:50hrs officers have made 92 arrests, all for showing support for a proscribed organisation.
The ages of those arrested range from 27 – 82.
Officers are continuing to make more arrests and a group remains in Trafalgar Square.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) April 11, 2026