London’s Metropolitan Police arrested 466 people at a protest against the UK government’s recent ban on Palestine Action, which has been designated a “terrorist organization.” The demonstration, which took place in Parliament Square on Saturday, saw hundreds of people waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans in support of the group.
The ban, implemented in July under the Terrorism Act 2000, followed a series of protests in which Palestine Action members damaged aircraft at a Royal Air Force base. The group alleges that the UK government is complicit in Israeli war crimes in Gaza.
The police confirmed on social media that 466 people were arrested for supporting a proscribed organization, with an additional eight individuals detained for other offenses, including assaults on police officers. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported. The ban makes membership in Palestine Action a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The group’s co-founder, Huda Ammori, has already been granted permission to legally challenge the ban.
The move has drawn significant criticism, with over 350 academics from around the world signing an open letter condemning the ban and warning of its potential negative impact on civil liberties and academic freedom.
