In a surge of activism over the weekend, more than 70 demonstrators were arrested across the UK as protests erupted in response to the government’s decision to label Palestine Action—a grassroots group campaigning for Palestinian rights—as a terrorist organization.
From London’s Trafalgar Square to Glasgow’s George Square, crowds of supporters staged sit-ins, marches, and banner drops. Organizers say the ban, announced after a recent break-in and vandalism at a Royal Air Force base, curtails legitimate civil protest.
The crackdown marks the toughest stand against direct-action groups in recent years. Police cited concerns over public safety and property damage, leading to arrests for suspected offenses including trespassing, criminal damage, and public order breaches.
Social media channels lit up with clips of peaceful sit-ins, chants of “Justice for Palestine” and footage of demonstrators filing quietly into police vans. Hashtags like #PalestineAction and #UKProtests trended on youth-driven platforms, drawing commentary from activists around the world.
Legal experts warn that this move could face challenges under domestic civil liberties laws. Backers of Palestine Action are reportedly preparing judicial reviews, framing the ban as a threat to freedom of expression and assembly.
Whether this hardline response will deter future direct-action campaigns or galvanize a new wave of digital and street activism remains to be seen. One thing is clear: the UK’s approach to protest and security is under the global spotlight.
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Over 70 arrested at UK protests in support of banned group PA
cgtn.com
