On Saturday, 890 people were arrested during a protest in central London against the decision to designate Palestine Action as a terrorist group.
According to the Metropolitan Police, 857 individuals were detained under the Terrorism Act for supporting a banned organization. Another 33 were arrested for other offenses, including 17 for assaulting police officers.
Those arrested were taken to a processing center in Westminster. People who could verify their identity were released on bail and required to report to a police station at a later date. Those who refused to provide their details or were already on bail were held in custody.
The 857 individuals arrested under the Terrorism Act will be investigated by the Met’s counter-terrorism unit.
More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the Metropolitan Police report on arrests during a Palestine Action protest designed to be clear and helpful
General Information
Q What is this news about
A The Metropolitan Police reported that they arrested nearly 900 people during a largescale protest organized by the group Palestine Action
Q Who is Palestine Action
A Palestine Action is a directaction activist group Their main goal is to shut down an Israeliowned company called Elbit Systems which manufactures drones and other military technology by occupying its UK facilities and disrupting its operations
Q When and where did this happen
A The protest and arrests occurred over a weekend in October 2023 The main actions were focused on a central London location and targeted Elbit Systems sites across the UK
The Arrests Police Action
Q Why were so many people arrested
A The police made arrests for various alleged offenses to prevent a major disruption to public order Common reasons included conspiracy to cause public nuisance obstructing a highway and potential breaches of the peace
Q Were all 900 people charged with a crime
A Not necessarily A large number of arrests at protests are preventative This means people are detained to deescalate a situation and then released later often under investigation or with no further action The exact number of charges is usually confirmed days later
Q Is it legal to protest in the UK
A Yes the right to peaceful protest is protected However the police have powers to impose conditions on protests and to arrest individuals if they believe laws are being broken or public safety is at risk
Q Whats the difference between a peaceful protest and what Palestine Action does
A Peaceful protest typically involves marches speeches and holding signs in designated areas Palestine Action often uses tactics like blocking entrances to buildings locking themselves to structures and spraypainting property which the police and courts may consider criminal damage or public nuisance
Context and Impact
Q What was the goal of this specific protest
