At least 523 protesters were arrested in London during a demonstration expressing support for the activist group Palestine Action on Saturday April 11, marking one of the largest mass arrests in recent UK history tied to political protest.
According to the Metropolitan Police, those detained—ranging in age from 18 to 87—were arrested for “showing support for a proscribed organisation” under the UK’s Terrorism Act. The arrests took place during a protest in Trafalgar Square organised by Defend Our Juries, a group that has increasingly mobilised around civil liberties and anti-war issues.
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.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) April 11, 2026
Protesters held placards reading: “I oppose genocide – I support Palestine Action.” Organisers insist the demonstration was peaceful and accuse authorities of knowingly carrying out unlawful arrests.
“Over £1 million of public money has already been spent defending a decision a court found disproportionate. The cost of today’s policing adds to that,” said Extinction Rebellion UK in a Facebook post.
“We are here because the right to protest is not negotiable,” the group added.
Human rights groups have strongly condemned the crackdown. Amnesty International UK described the arrests as “yet another blow to civil liberties”, pointing to a High Court ruling earlier this year which found that the proscription of Palestine Action was unlawful. Despite this ruling, police resumed arrests of individuals expressing support for the group.
The UK government banned Palestine Action in July last year after activists entered a Royal Air Force base and caused damage to military aircraft. However, critics argue that the use of counterterrorism legislation against protest movements represents a dangerous escalation, effectively equating political dissent with terrorism.
The arrests in London are part of a broader pattern. Hundreds of pro-Palestine activists have been detained across the UK in recent months, as authorities intensify repression amid growing public outrage over Israel’s war on Gaza and continued Western military support.
Civil liberties organisations and human rights advocates are now calling for the immediate reversal of the ban on Palestine Action, the dropping of charges against protesters, and an end to the use of anti-terror laws to suppress political expression.
