139 Arrested at London Protest Backing Banned Palestine Action
Police arrested 48 people Saturday outside the US Embassy in London at a protest supporting Palestine Action. The Met said most arrests were for expressing support for a banned group.
- 400 attendees were expected, according to organizer Defend Our Juries.
- 14 years in prison is the maximum penalty for supporting the group.
- 4,000-plus arrests since July 2025 under the ban, Defend Our Juries says.
- £1.3 million spent by the Met on six related events in June and July.
Why it matters: The protest came days before a Supreme Court appeal on the ban. It is the first mass protest since Andy Burnham became prime minister in July.
- Commander Adam Slonecki said organizers and logistical helpers would also face arrest.
- Police Scotland is reviewing evidence from a vigil at the US consulate in Edinburgh.
How 11 sources split on this story
Where they split: The dispute is whether holding a placard backing Palestine Action is support for terrorism or protected protest against the ban.
Center coverage, 7 sources: The center reports the arrest count and legal context, including the group's past break-ins and the pending appeal.
Left coverage, 3 sources: The left frames the arrests as a free-speech issue, quoting Amnesty International UK and Labour MP John McDonnell against the ban.
Right coverage, 1 sources: The right centers police warnings that supporters were deliberately breaking the law and draining police resources.
What’s next: The Supreme Court hears the appeal against the ban on Nov. 4. In June, the Court of Appeal called the ban justified and proportionate, reversing a February High Court ruling.
- Will the Supreme Court uphold the ban?
- How many people were arrested in total once the protest ended?
