London police arrested 139 people outside the US Embassy on Saturday as protesters defied a warning and backed the banned group Palestine Action, days before a Supreme Court appeal on its proscription.
The arrests in London came as campaigners gathered in support of Palestine Action, despite the group being a proscribed organisation. Police said those arrested were detained in connection with showing support for the banned group, an offence under terrorism legislation.
What happened outside the US Embassy
Protesters assembled outside the US Embassy in London on Saturday, in a demonstration organised in support of Palestine Action. The Metropolitan Police said officers made 139 arrests during the protest, after warning in advance that expressing support for a proscribed organisation could lead to arrest.
The demonstration was organised by supporters of the Defend Our Juries campaign, which has campaigned against the proscription of Palestine Action and has organised a series of protests in which participants have openly expressed support for the group.
Why Palestine Action was proscribed
Palestine Action was proscribed in the UK, meaning that membership of, or support for, the group is a criminal offence. Supporters of the group argue that proscription restricts peaceful protest and free expression, while the government has said the ban was imposed because of the group’s direct-action campaigns.
The case is now heading for a significant legal test. A Supreme Court appeal on its proscription is due to be heard in the coming days, and campaigners say the outcome could determine whether the ban remains in place.
Protests beyond London
The London protest was not the only demonstration linked to the campaign. A protest was also held in Edinburgh, where campaigners likewise expressed support for Palestine Action, adding to a series of actions across the UK.
The debate over proscription has also featured in wider political discussion, including responses from senior political figures such as Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, as politicians, campaigners and police debate the balance between public order and the right to protest.
Wider protest context
The London arrests follow other recent protest movements in Europe. Britain barred Swedish academic Andreas Malm from entering the UK ahead of a Palestine Action event, in a decision that also drew criticism from campaigners.
Elsewhere, Halloween protests in France, where hundreds of thousands marched, and Gen Z protests across Germany have highlighted a broader wave of street protest across Europe in October 2026.
Timeline
- Palestine Action is proscribed in the UK, making support for the group a criminal offence.
- Britain bars Swedish academic Andreas Malm from entering the UK ahead of a Palestine Action event.
- Protesters gather outside the US Embassy in London on Saturday, defying a police warning.
- The Metropolitan Police arrest 139 people during the London protest.
- A related protest is held in Edinburgh.
- A Supreme Court appeal on the proscription of Palestine Action is due to be heard in the coming days.
FAQs
How many people were arrested in London?
Police arrested 139 people outside the US Embassy in London on Saturday.
Why were protesters arrested?
Police said the arrests related to showing support for Palestine Action, which is a proscribed organisation in the UK.
What is Defend Our Juries?
Defend Our Juries is a campaign that has organised protests in support of Palestine Action and against its proscription.
Was there a protest in Edinburgh?
Yes, a related protest was also held in Edinburgh, alongside the demonstration in London.
What happens next?
A Supreme Court appeal on the proscription of Palestine Action is due to be heard in the coming days, and its outcome could affect the future of the ban.
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