Police arrest 139 people during Palestine Action protest

A total of 139 people have been arrested during a protest in central London in support of Palestine Action, with the majority detained for expressing support for a proscribed organisation, police said.

More than 100 protesters gathered outside the US embassy in Nine Elms, London, on Saturday, while another demonstration took place at the US consulate near Holyrood in Edinburgh in support of the group.

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Expressing support for the group is an offence under the Terrorism Act after it was proscribed in June 2025.

In February, the High Court ruled the group's ban was "disproportionate", but in June the Court of Appeal ruled that banning Palestine Action was lawful.

There were 3,867 arrests for suspected terrorist activity in the year to June, of which 94% were linked to supporting the group.

In the previous 12-month period, before the ban came into force, 234 terror arrests were made.

The protests come ahead of an appeal at the Supreme Court against Palestine Action's designation as a terror group on 4 November.

A retired lawyer who travelled from his home in Cumbria to attend the protest on Saturday said he was demonstrating because he "feared for our liberties".

Charles Allison, 75, told the Press Association: "I decided that I ought to try and do something, and this is the little bit that I'm doing.

"I fear for our civil liberties, which are being devalued and watered down, even by this new Labour Government.

"So I'm dejected, but enthused that there are so many wonderful people protesting."

He added: "I speak as an ex-lawyer, so it's uncomfortable for me to break the law deliberately. But I felt that I could do no other."

Mr Allison was taken away by two police officers just before 1pm, after he was told he posed a "threat".

A Home Office spokesperson said: "The Court of Appeal found that Palestine Action carried out acts of terrorism, celebrated those who took part in them and promoted the use of violence. Its proscription followed a rigorous and evidence-based decision-making process, endorsed by Parliament.

"Free speech is a fundamental democratic right - the proscription of Palestine Action does not affect lawful protest in support of the Palestinian cause."

(c) Sky News 2026: Police arrest 139 people during Palestine Action protest