UK police say more than 500 people arrested in pro-Palestinian events
over weekend
[August 11, 2025]
By DANICA KIRKA
LONDON (AP) — London police said Sunday that 532 people were arrested
the previous day when supporters of a pro-Palestinian group recently
outlawed as a terrorist organization intentionally broke the law to test
the government’s ability to enforce the ban.
The Metropolitan Police Service released the updated figures as
protesters demanding the immediate release of the remaining Israeli
hostages in Gaza held their own march through central London on Sunday
afternoon.
The vast majority of those detained on Saturday were arrested for
displaying placards declaring their support for the group known as
Palestine Action. Police updated their earlier totals and said 522
people were arrested for supporting a proscribed organization in
violation of anti-terror laws. Another 10 people were arrested on a
variety of charges, including assaulting and obstructing police
officers.
Backers of Palestine Action staged the protest to underscore their
belief that the government is illegally restricting freedom of
expression by banning a direct action organization that has challenged
its policies.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who oversees law enforcement in Britain,
rejected that characterization, saying Palestine Action was banned after
committing serious attacks involving violence, significant injuries and
extensive criminal damage.
“The right to protest is one we protect fiercely but this is very
different from displaying support for this one specific and narrow,
proscribed organization,” Cooper said in a statement. “Many people may
not yet know the reality of this organization, but the assessments are
very clear, this is not a nonviolent organization,” she added.
Police released updated information on the Palestine Action protest
after the front pages of Sunday newspapers featured photos of elderly
protesters being carted off by officers.
[to top of second column]
|
Police officers arrest a demonstrator during a protest in support of
the Palestinian People in Gaza, in Parliament Square, in London,
Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025.(AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
One of those was La Pethick, an 89-year-old retired psychotherapist,
who told the Times of London that she had the support of her five
grandchildren. “We are having our right to peaceful protest being
taken away,” she said.
Almost half of those arrested were over the age of 60, according to
figures released by the Met.
Police said the process of deciding whether to file charges against
those arrested is likely to take weeks as officers from the Met’s
Counter Terrorism Command put together case files and seek approval
from prosecutors, and in some cases the attorney general.
Parliament voted to ban Palestine Action after activists broke into
a Royal Air Force base and damaged two tanker planes to protest
British support for the war in Gaza. Palestine Action had previously
targeted Israeli defense contractors and other sites in Britain that
they believe have links with the Israeli military.
Supporters of Palestine Action are challenging the ban in court,
arguing that the government has violated human rights laws by in
declaring the group a terrorist organization.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved
 |
