Overview
- The Metropolitan Police, which resumed enforcing the ban in late March, confirmed Saturday it arrested 523 people at Trafalgar Square for showing support for a proscribed group.
- Defend Our Juries organized a silent sit‑down called Everyone Day where hundreds held signs reading “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action,” and officers carried away demonstrators including Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja.
- Commander Claire Smart warned in advance that showing support for a proscribed organization is a criminal offense under the Terrorism Act, and police said they expected arrests at the event.
- The Home Office proscribed Palestine Action in July 2025 with penalties of up to 14 years, the High Court ruled that proscription unlawful on February 13, and the government’s appeal is listed for April 28–29.
- Rights groups condemned the mass arrests as a blow to free expression, trials of related placard cases are paused for a blanket review on July 30, and nearly 3,000 people have been arrested since the ban.