• Nearly 900 protesters were arrested in London supporting the banned group Palestine Action.
• The group was designated a terrorist organization under UK law in July 2025, following vandalism incidents.
• Critics, including human rights organizations, argue the ban is a threat to free speech and civil liberties.
• The protest saw significant clashes between demonstrators and police, leading to accusations of violence.
• The ongoing conflict in Gaza, with civilian casualties reported, adds context to the protests.

On Saturday, British police arrested a total of 890 protesters during a demonstration in support of the banned group Palestine Action, marking it as the highest number of detentions from such events to date, according to Channel News Asia.

The Metropolitan Police reported that of those arrested, 857 were detained under the Terrorism Act for showing support for the proscribed organization, while 33 were arrested for other offenses, including assaulting police officers, as stated by Al Jazeera, AA, and Middle East Eye.

Demonstrators rallied against the UK government's ban on Palestine Action, enforced under the Terrorism Act of 2000, following incidents of vandalism at a Royal Air Force base and various defense firms linked to Israel. The group's actions were labeled by some officials as damaging, with police forces claiming that the protest “turned violent,” as reported by Los Angeles Times, Reuters, and Dawn.

Protest organizers, identified as Defend Our Juries, characterized the event as a peaceful display, claiming the police's portrayal of violence was unfounded. Among those arrested were priests, war veterans, and elderly individuals, arguing the detentions were politically motivated, according to sources like Middle East Eye and TRT Global.

The UK government has been criticized by human rights advocates who claim that designating Palestine Action as a terrorist organization infringes on legitimate rights to protest and freedom of expression. This has drawn international attention, including from the United Nations, which has expressed concerns over the implications of counterterrorism measures, as highlighted by India Times and Le Monde.

The police operation reportedly faced significant logistical challenges, with officers expressing dissatisfaction over the extensive operational demands placed on them during the protest. They were reportedly overextended, reflecting a chaotic scene amidst the ongoing unrest surrounding the conflict in Gaza, which has seen significant casualties among civilians, according to Channel News Asia and AA.