London, UK – October 4, 2025 – In a significant display of defiance, London’s Metropolitan Police arrested 175 people during pro-Palestine demonstrations on Saturday, October 4, 2025. The protests, held in support of the proscribed group Palestine Action, proceeded despite urgent pleas from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and senior police officials for their cancellation following a deadly terror attack at a Manchester synagogue just days earlier. This latest event marks a continuation of increased arrests at protests related to the group, which was designated as terrorist in July.
Scale of Arrests and Key Incidents
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that six individuals were initially arrested for unfurling a banner supporting Palestine Action on Westminster Bridge. A further 169 arrests were made in Trafalgar Square during a rally organized by “Defend Our Juries.” These arrests were primarily for the offense of “supporting a proscribed organisation,” a charge stemming from the group’s designation under UK anti-terrorism legislation. Many protesters were seated and had to be carried away by officers, a process that required substantial police manpower.
Background to Palestine Action and Its Proscription
Founded in 2020, Palestine Action describes itself as a direct action network committed to ending what it calls Israel’s “genocidal and apartheid regime.” The group has focused its activities on disrupting companies involved in the UK arms trade, particularly those supplying Israel, such as Elbit Systems. On July 5, 2025, the UK government officially proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist group under the Terrorism Act 2000. This decision followed incidents, including the vandalism of military aircraft at RAF Brize Norton. The proscription makes it illegal to be a member of, invite support for, or recklessly express support for the organisation, with potential penalties including up to 14 years imprisonment.
Protests Proceed Amidst National Mourning
The demonstrations on October 4 occurred in the immediate aftermath of a horrific terror attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester on Thursday, October 2, 2025, which resulted in two fatalities and several injuries. In light of the tragedy, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley publicly urged organizers to reconsider or cancel their planned protests. These appeals stressed the importance of respecting the grief of the British Jewish community and highlighted concerns that police resources would be diverted from essential security duties aimed at protecting vulnerable communities, especially during a period of heightened national alert.
Organizers’ Stance and Rationale
Despite the calls for cancellation, the organizing group “Defend Our Juries” proceeded with the demonstration, stating that “cancelling peaceful protests lets terror win.” They view the proscription of Palestine Action as a draconian measure that stifles legitimate protest and conflates activism with terrorism. Organizers asserted that their protest was a vital act of defiance against government policy and a defense of democratic rights.
Police Resource Concerns and Civil Liberties Debate
The Metropolitan Police expressed concerns about the significant strain these protests place on policing resources, particularly at a time when additional security measures were being implemented in Jewish and Muslim communities. Previous demonstrations organized by Defend Our Juries have also resulted in mass arrests, with over 1,400 individuals arrested at two prior events. The proscription of Palestine Action and the subsequent arrests have drawn criticism from civil liberties groups and legal bodies, who argue that it represents a “dangerous shift in the law” and an erosion of freedom of speech and the right to protest. The article is a featured piece of London news coverage.
