October 3, 2025
UK police have arrested dozens of protesters backing the banned group Palestine Action, sparking a heated debate over free speech, security, and protest rights.
The United Kingdom has intensified its crackdown on political activism linked to the recently banned protest group Palestine Action, arresting scores of individuals across the country in one of the largest mass enforcement operations since the organisation’s proscription.
Over the past weekend alone, 86 protesters were detained in London, Manchester, Cardiff, and Belfast for openly expressing support for the group, which the government officially banned under the Terrorism Act in July 2025. Authorities said the individuals were arrested for offences ranging from chanting pro-Palestine Action slogans to carrying placards and banners displaying the organisation’s symbols.
Palestine Action was established in 2020 and quickly gained attention for its aggressive campaigns against the UK operations of Elbit Systems, an Israeli defence contractor accused by activists of supplying weapons used in the Gaza conflict. The group engaged in property damage, occupations, and blockades, claiming such actions were part of a civil resistance strategy aimed at halting the arms trade.
Government officials, however, argued that the group’s tactics crossed the line into terrorism and criminal intimidation, accusing members of using disruption and destruction to influence policy. When Home Secretary James Cleverly announced the ban, he stressed that proscription was necessary to “protect communities, uphold public order, and defend democracy from extremist activities.”
Under UK law, proscribed organisations are treated the same as terrorist entities. Supporting, promoting, or even expressing approval for them can result in up to 14 years in prison.
The latest arrests marked the most forceful application of the ban since it was introduced.
London: 41 protesters were detained near Trafalgar Square and Downing Street after holding banners reading “We Support Palestine Action.”
Manchester: 16 people were taken into custody in the city centre during a solidarity march.
Wales & Northern Ireland: Dozens more were arrested in Cardiff and Belfast as similar protests unfolded.
Police officials defended the actions, saying they were strictly enforcing the law. A Scotland Yard spokesperson stated: “Proscription is clear. Any show of support for Palestine Action is a criminal offence. We will act to maintain public order.”
Civil liberties groups, opposition MPs, and human rights organisations strongly condemned the arrests. Critics argue that the government is criminalising free speech and peaceful protest, blurring the lines between non-violent activism and terrorism.
Photos circulated online showed police arresting elderly demonstrators, students, and disabled activists, sparking further anger among campaigners. The Liberty campaign group accused the government of using counter-terrorism laws to silence dissent and erode democratic freedoms.
Legal experts also raised concerns, highlighting that while proscription has historically been used against armed groups like the IRA or al-Qaeda, applying it to a protest network sets a dangerous precedent.
In Parliament, Home Secretary Cleverly defended the move, arguing that it was necessary to prevent escalating disruption and violence. “We will not allow extremists to damage property and intimidate the public under the guise of protest,” he told MPs.
But Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs voiced scepticism, warning that such measures risk alienating young people and stoking division within communities. They urged the government to distinguish between peaceful dissent and genuine extremism.
Since the ban took effect, more than 1,500 people have been arrested, though only a fraction have been prosecuted. The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that several trials are pending, with activists potentially facing long prison sentences.
The situation highlights a wider debate about the future of protest in the UK, where successive laws such as the Public Order Act 2023 have already tightened restrictions on demonstrations. For activists, the proscription represents an unprecedented crackdown on civil resistance. For ministers, it is a step to preserve security and order in an increasingly polarised climate.
As legal battles continue and more protests are planned, the controversy shows no signs of abating. The UK now faces a critical test of how far it is willing to go in balancing national security and democratic freedoms.
