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London police arrest 212 people at protest over Palestine Action ban

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on April 11, 2026

2 min read

· Last updated: April 12, 2026

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London police arrest 212 people at protest over Palestine Action ban
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LONDON, April 11 (Reuters) - Police said on Saturday they had arrested 212 people at a protest in London's Trafalgar Square opposing Britain's banning of the Palestine Action group. The gathering was

London police arrest 523 people at protest over Palestine Action ban

Mass Arrests at Trafalgar Square Protest

LONDON, April 11 (Reuters) - Police said on Saturday they had arrested 523 people at a protest in London's Trafalgar Square opposing Britain's banning of the Palestine Action group.

Details of the Arrests

London's Metropolitan Police said in a post on X that people were arrested for showing support for a "proscribed organisation".

Legal Background and Court Rulings

The gathering was the first since London's High Court ruled in February that a ban designating the pro-Palestinian group as a terrorist organisation was unlawful L8N3Z90PY. UK Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood has been granted approval to appeal the ruling.

Palestine Action Group and Government Response

Lawmakers banned Palestine Action -- which accuses Britain's government of complicity in what it says are Israeli war crimes in Gaza -- under anti-terrorism legislation last July after some members broke into a Royal Air Force base L8N3SN0BX.

Reactions and Demonstration Details

Israel has repeatedly denied any abuses in its war in Gaza.

During Saturday's demonstration, placard-holding protesters, some wearing black and white Palestinian scarves and waving Palestinian flags, sat on the ground or on camping chairs.

Reporting Credits

(Reporting by Suban Abdulla, additional reporting by Preetika Parashuraman in Bengaluru; Editing by Alexander Smith and Alistair Bell)

Key Takeaways

  • The protest was the first since the High Court ruled on February 13, 2026, that the Palestine Action ban was “disproportionate” and unlawful, though the ban remains in place pending appeal. (theguardian.com)
  • Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has been granted permission to appeal the ruling, and the proscription remains temporarily in place during appellate proceedings. (theguardian.com)
  • Since the ban’s enactment in July 2025, over 2,000 people have been arrested for supporting Palestine Action, highlighting ongoing legal and civil liberties tensions. (theguardian.com)

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were 212 people arrested at the protest in London?
212 people were arrested during a protest in Trafalgar Square opposing Britain's ban on the Palestine Action group.
What is Palestine Action and why was it banned?
Palestine Action is a pro-Palestinian group banned by UK lawmakers last July under anti-terrorism legislation for alleged links to activism against Israeli actions in Gaza.
What did the London High Court rule about the Palestine Action ban?
The High Court ruled in February that the ban designating Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation was unlawful.
Is the UK government appealing the High Court's decision?
Yes, UK Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood has been granted approval to appeal the February ruling.
What happened during the protest at Trafalgar Square?
Protesters held placards, wore Palestinian scarves, waved flags, and gathered peacefully, while police continued to make arrests.

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