Mass arrests at London Palestine Action protest under Terrorism Act

London police arrested hundreds of demonstrators on Saturday after protesters gathered outside Parliament to defy the ban on Palestine Action, with the Metropolitan Police saying on Sunday that 890 people had been detained during the day’s sit‑in and related actions. Defend Our Juries, the campaign group that organised the event, said about 1,500 people took part in the silent protest in Parliament Square, many holding placards reading "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action."

The vast majority of arrests were made under the Terrorism Act for expressing support for a proscribed organisation, the Met said, with 857 of the detentions classified that way and 33 for other offences including alleged assaults on officers. Police said officers began removing demonstrators within minutes of the 1 p.m. start, and that some people went limp to resist being moved, forcing physical removals. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Claire Smart said officers had been punched, kicked, spat on and had objects thrown at them and described the abuse as intolerable.

Organisers and some witnesses disputed the police account. Defend Our Juries said the action was peaceful and called claims of...