More than 200 people were arrested in central London on Saturday as tensions escalated over the controversial ban on the activist group Palestine Action. The Metropolitan Police confirmed

that 212 individuals were detained during a demonstration in Trafalgar Square, marking one of the largest protest-related arrest totals in the city in recent months.

The rally was the first major public gathering since February’s High Court decision that deemed the government’s classification of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation unlawful. Despite the ruling, the legal battle is far from over. Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood has already secured the right to challenge the decision, setting the stage for a prolonged judicial dispute.

Palestine Action, known for its direct-action tactics, has accused the British government of being complicit in alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza—claims that Israel firmly denies. The group was originally banned under anti-terrorism laws last July following a high-profile incident in which activists broke into a Royal Air Force base, prompting swift political backlash and legislative action.

Saturday’s protest drew a diverse crowd of demonstrators, many holding placards, waving Palestinian flags, and wearing traditional black-and-white keffiyehs. Some participants remained seated throughout the protest, forming a largely peaceful but visibly defiant assembly in one of London’s most iconic public spaces.

Police maintained a strong presence and reiterated their stance via social media, stating that arrests would continue for individuals expressing support for a proscribed organisation. The enforcement reflects the government’s firm approach despite ongoing legal challenges to the ban.

The demonstration highlights growing divisions in the UK over the balance between national security measures and the right to protest, particularly as the conflict in Gaza continues to fuel public debate and activism on British streets. Photo by Dani_7C3, Wikimedia commons.