Metropolitan Police Detain 212 Protesters in London Over Palestine Action Ban

London's Metropolitan Police arrested 212 people at a protest in Trafalgar Square on Saturday, April 11, 2026, as hundreds of demonstrators gathered to oppose the government's ban on the pro-Palestinian direct action group Palestine Action. Officers approached the crowd in formation and carried away protesters one by one, prompting cheers and chants of "shame on you" from those remaining. Among those detained was Robert Del Naja, a founding member of the band Massive Attack, who was seen holding an "I Support Palestine Action" sign before being carried away by three officers. The ages of those arrested ranged from 27 to 82, according to the force. The demonstration was organized by Defend Our Juries, which said an estimated 1,500 people took part in what it described as a peaceful vigil. Protesters held placards reading "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action" and unfurled large banners near the National Gallery proclaiming "Jurors deserve to hear the whole truth."

Del Naja cites unlawful arrest defense, tour dates loom Robert Del Naja told the Press Association that he felt compelled to attend despite concerns about the potential impact on his music career, particularly his ability to travel and obtain visas. He said he concluded that the police resuming arrests after the High Court ruling was "even more ridiculous" than the ban itself, and decided to hold a sign regardless of the consequences. „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.” — Robert Del Naja via The Independent Del Naja added that he felt confident he could contest any charge in court on the grounds that the arrest was unlawful. Massive Attack is scheduled to begin a summer tour in Europe on May 26, with dates in Helsinki, Rattvik, Copenhagen, Berlin, and Brussels through June 8. Officers were filmed carrying Del Naja away from the square, a moment that drew cheers from the surrounding crowd.

High Court ruled ban unlawful, but police resumed arrests in March Palestine Action was founded in 2020 as a British pro-Palestinian direct action network, with the stated goal of ending global participation in what it describes as Israel's conduct toward Palestinians. The group claimed responsibility for actions including a break-in at a Royal Air Force base, where aircraft were painted, and an attack on a London business it said was linked to weapons manufacturers supplying Israel. The UK government proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organization in July 2025 under anti-terrorism legislation, placing it alongside groups including al-Qaeda and Hezbollah. On February 13, 2026, the High Court ruled the proscription unlawful, calling it "disproportionate" and a breach of freedom of expression. The proscription made it a criminal offense to belong to or express support for Palestine Action, punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Following the February ruling, the Metropolitan Police initially indicated it was unlikely to arrest people for showing support for the group. However, on March 25, the force announced it would resume arrests, stating the ban remains in force until the government's appeal is resolved. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood was granted leave to appeal the High Court decision, with the Court of Appeal hearing scheduled for April 28 and 29. A judge has separately placed on hold all trials of people charged with supporting Palestine Action, scheduling a blanket review of cases for July 30.

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Organizers condemn police U-turn, protesters cite civil liberties Defend Our Juries co-founder Tim Crossland criticized the Metropolitan Police's reversal in a video published on social media, saying the arrests stem from what he described as a "wild and entrenched ideology." The organization said in a statement that police were "choosing to make arrests despite the government's ban on the group being ruled unlawful by the High Court, and leading lawyers warning that any arrests would be unlawful." Several protesters at the scene told journalists they had been arrested before and had no hesitation about returning. Denis MacDermot, 73, from Edinburgh, said he was a supporter of those gathered and that if the court process were definitive "there would be no need for all this." One unnamed 53-year-old woman said protesters were exercising a civil right and argued that jury acquittals of Palestine Action members demonstrated the group could not reasonably be classified as terrorist. Israel has repeatedly denied any abuses in its conduct of the war in Gaza, according to Reuters. The Metropolitan Police reiterated on X that "Palestine Action continues to be a proscribed organisation and any display of support constitutes a criminal offence."