Hundreds defy Palestine Action ban as dozens arrested for supporting terrorist organisation

After its proscription in June 2025, expressing support for Palestine Action is an offence under the Terrorism Act.

Officers remain at the scene and continue making arrests at the rally, which kicked off at 1pm.

More than a hundred demonstrators from Defend Our Juries were protesting outside the US mission, with some holding placards reading: “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action”.

Met Commander Adam Slonecki warned that anyone supporting those holding placards could also expect to be arrested at the demonstration.

“All those intending on coming to this event know that supporting a proscribed organisation is unlawful – they are essentially meeting to purposefully commit a crime,” he said ahead of the rally.

The Metropolitan Police imposed a Section 35 dispersal order across parts of London, including the embassy grounds, between 8am and 11pm on Saturday.

Scotland Yard said it introduced the order after receiving intelligence that a group planned to attend an event and show support for a proscribed organisation.

The powers allow police to direct people to leave the designated area, and those who fail to comply could face arrest.

Lambeth Council’s Green Party leader, Martin Abrams, took to social media to share his “concern” over the arrests.

“As Leader of Lambeth Council, I am deeply concerned to see local police resources deployed and used in operations like this.

“Lambeth Met Police is already facing serious resourcing issues for vital community policing.

“The proscription of #PalestineAction and the resulting police resources needed to arrest peaceful protestors simply does not make our communities safe,” he wrote on X.

Meanwhile, another protest supporting Palestine Action was held outside the US consulate in Edinburgh.

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