London Police Arrest 139 Protesters Outside US Embassy Over Banned Group Support
London’s Metropolitan Police arrested 139 people outside the United States Embassy on Saturday after demonstrators gathered to express support for Palestine Action, a pro-Palestinian direct-action network outlawed in the UK under terrorism legislation. Officers detained the majority of individuals on suspicion of expressing support for a proscribed organization while crowds assembled near the diplomatic mission.
UK police arrest a woman outside the US Embassy in London for holding a sign with words that mirror a statement previously posted by the National Security Advisor’s wife, which the Police had declared did not meet the criminal threshold. pic.twitter.com/ZyvL9Rb3ON
The demonstration drew retirees carrying signs that read “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action,” according to reporting by the Associated Press. One demonstrator climbed a tree near the embassy to display a placard backing the group. Activist campaign group Defend Our Juries organized the Saturday demonstration to protest the British government’s decision to ban the network.
Arrests Mount as Campaigners Defy Proscription
Organizers with Defend Our Juries stated that authorities have detained more than 4,000 people since July 2025 for violating the ban on supporting Palestine Action. The group condemned the ongoing detentions as a severe violation of civil rights and freedom of expression. London’s Metropolitan Police confirmed 48 initial arrests before the total climbed to 139, with officers remaining at the scene to process further detentions.
The UK government outlawed Palestine Action in 2025 following a series of high-profile break-ins at defense facilities linked to Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems. Under British law, membership in or support for a designated terrorist organization carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. Founded in 2020, the activist group aims to halt British military assistance to Israel, accusing the state of committing genocide against Palestinians—an allegation that Israel strongly denies.
Alongside the London protest, a parallel demonstration took place outside the US Consulate in Edinburgh, Scotland. Police Scotland reported no immediate arrests during the Edinburgh vigil but confirmed that officers are reviewing evidence, including T-shirts and banners worn by participants, to identify individuals for potential enforcement action.
Supreme Court Appeal Approaches Following US Sanctions
Saturday’s demonstrations unfolded just days before a scheduled November 4 hearing at the UK Supreme Court. The court is set to hear an appeal challenging the government’s designation of Palestine Action as a terrorist group, a classification that supporters argue infringes upon freedom of speech and political protest. The United States government also targeted the network in August by imposing sanctions and designating it a terrorist entity.
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