London police arrested 890 protesters over the weekend for supporting the banned group Palestine Action. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrests on Sunday after a tense demonstration turned violent.

Police Make Mass Arrests

To begin with, officers arrested 857 people under anti-terror laws for “supporting a proscribed group.” Additionally, they detained 33 others for separate offences, including assaulting police officers.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Claire Smart explained, “We have a duty to enforce the law without fear or favour.” She further stated, “If you advertise that you are intending to commit a crime, we have no option but to respond accordingly.”

Why Palestine Action Was Banned

Earlier in July, the UK government banned Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act. This decision came after members broke into a Royal Air Force base and damaged military planes.

As a result, supporting or joining the group now carries a prison sentence of up to 14 years. This marked a major escalation in the government’s crackdown on extremist activity.

Violence Breaks Out at Protest

During the protest, tensions quickly escalated. Police reported facing “an exceptional level of abuse.” Officers said protesters punched, kicked, spat at, and threw objects at them.

Consequently, the Met declared there had been “a coordinated effort to prevent officers carrying out their duties.” It vowed to prosecute anyone who assaulted police “to the full extent of the law.”

Organisers Accuse Police of Brutality

On the other hand, organisers accused police of using excessive force.

Defend Our Juries, which led the protest, alleged that officers “violently assault[ed] peaceful protesters including the elderly.” They claimed police tried “to arrest over a thousand people for holding cardboard signs.”

Moreover, the group shared video footage showing an officer shoving an elderly protester to the ground. A spokesperson called the ban “impossible to enforce and a preposterous waste of resources.” They added, “Resistance to this ridiculous ban keeps on growing exponentially.”

Protest Timeline

The rally began at 1 pm with hundreds of mostly older protesters holding placards and papers in support of Palestine Action.

However, by 1:15 pm, police began making arrests. Officers removed protesters one by one as crowds shouted “shame on you.” Many protesters followed organisers’ advice and went “floppy” to slow down the arrests.

Eventually, police took those detained to vans lined along Millbank. It remains unclear how many refused to give their names or addresses. Those who did not comply stayed in custody instead of being released on bail.