Police swooped on Parliament Square, arresting demonstrators protesting against the proscription of Palestine Action under terrorism laws.
Hundreds marched, holding placards that read: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” The Metropolitan Police, backed by reinforcements from neighbouring forces, formed a formidable cordon, ready to detain anyone showing public support for the banned group.
Under current legislation, such acts can lead to a prison sentence of up to 14 years.
As of 9 August 2025, multiple arrests had been made during the Westminster protest. Since the ban came into force on 5 July, 221 people have been detained nationwide under the Terrorism Act.
Despite this, only around ten have been formally charged, fuelling criticism over slow prosecutions and raising questions about the reach of the law.
Today’s rally is believed to be the biggest since Palestine Action’s proscription. Officers moved swiftly through the crowd, and observers expect the number of arrests from this single protest to run into the dozens once official figures are confirmed.
Supporters say they are defending free speech; critics argue the state has gone too far. With 221 arrests and only a handful of charges, the line between protest and criminality has never seemed thinner.
The fight is far from over. A judicial review challenging the government’s decision to label Palestine Action as a terror group is scheduled for later this autumn, a case likely to reignite the fierce national debate over civil liberties and the use of anti-terror powers in Britain.
