More than 500 people have been arrested during a mass protest in central London against the ban on Palestine Action, with police confirming all detentions were for showing support for a proscribed organisation.
The Metropolitan Police stated that 523 individuals were taken into custody during the demonstration at Trafalgar Square on Saturday.
A statement posted on social media site X said: “523 people were arrested today for showing support for a proscribed organisation. The age of those arrested ranges from 18 to 87.
“That brings the updates today to a close, we are grateful to all the officers involved for their professionalism.”
Among those arrested was Robert Del Naja, the musician from Massive Attack, who was seen holding an “I Support Palestine Action” sign before being carried away by three police officers. The ages of those arrested ranged widely, from 27 to 82, according to the force.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Trafalgar Square, many holding signs that read “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action”.
A significant number of the mostly elderly demonstrators sat on camping chairs and on the ground, displaying their placards. Near the National Gallery at the top of the square, large banners were unfurled, proclaiming “Jurors deserve to hear the whole truth” and “Israel starves kids”.
Mr Del Naja told the Press Association that he felt compelled to attend the protest despite potential repercussions for his music career.
He explained: “Being a musician, obviously, there was a lot of trepidation around how we might not be able to travel and get visas. But I thought ‘this is ridiculous’ and then the police making that U-turn to arrest people again, I thought that is even more ridiculous. So I’m going to hold a sign today.
“If I get arrested, I feel very confident that if I stand up in court with the right guidance and say ‘this was an unlawful arrest and, therefore, I don’t accept it’.”
He further added: “I think that the actions of Palestine Action were highly patriotic, because they were pretty much protecting our country from getting involved in serious war crimes, and breaking international law. How much more patriotic can you be than that?”
Officers were filmed arresting Mr Del Naja and carrying him away, prompting cheers from other demonstrators. Massive Attack is scheduled to commence a summer tour in Europe from 26 May to 8 June, with dates in Helsinki, Rattvik, Copenhagen, Berlin, and Brussels.
The arrests saw several individuals, including a man and a woman with grey hair, carried away by officers. Police were observed carrying a woman from the protest as onlookers chanted “shame on you”.
Another man was lifted out in handcuffs, and an elderly protester using a walking stick was escorted to police vans. One woman was heard shouting: “Yeah she looks like a terrorist, doesn’t she mate?”
Protesters accused police of dragging a woman out of the demonstration without supporting her shoulders. The woman was later seen lying with her eyes closed, surrounded by officers and bystanders, with others shouting that she required medical attention.
One protester made a peace sign as she was removed, while another declared “Palestine Action is not a proscribed organisation” as she was led away. Protesters, some carried by their ankles and under their arms, were taken to a fenced area at the side of Trafalgar Square.
The protest group Defend Our Juries, which organised the event dubbed ‘Everyone Day’, stated that the demonstration would show the “resistance” to the ban on Palestine Action is “stronger than ever”.
The Metropolitan Police had previously indicated that Saturday’s action “is likely to involve offending rather than a lawful protest”.
In March, the force announced it would resume arresting suspected Palestine Action supporters, as a High Court battle over the group’s ban continues.
Police had temporarily paused arrests in February after the High Court ruled the government’s ban was unlawful, but decided to resume operations as an appeal against the ruling is expected to take several months.
