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2026-10-11 18:05 UTC → 2026-10-12 10:29 UTC ·
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During the British Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Merseyside Police arrested more than 50 protesters demonstrating against the United Kingdom’s designation of Palestine Action as a terrorist organization. The group was proscribed in July 2025 following an incident involving the defacement of Royal Air Force aircraft. Organized under the group Defend Our Juries as part of the ‘Lift the Ban’ campaign, the demonstration involved approximately 250 people who gathered for a silent vigil. Notable detainees included 94-year-old human rights barrister Margaret Owen and musician Robert Del Naja of Massive Attack. Authorities stated that individuals were detained under the Terrorism Act for allegedly displaying materials in support of the proscribed group. Legal consequences for supporting the banned group have escalated. A 52-year-old woman from Scotland faces a potential 14-year prison sentence under Sections 11 and 12 of the Terrorism Act, accused of being a member of and encouraging others to join Palestine Action. To date, more than 3,000 people have been arrested in the UK for showing support for the group. This rise in activism has seen the emergence of various solidarity organizations, including Artists for Free Palestine and Workers for Free Palestine. While Amnesty International UK criticized the police response as a ‘shameful attack on freedom of speech’, the legal pressure on activists participating in civil disobedience campaigns continues to grow. On October 10, 2026, a large-scale pro-Palestinian march organized by the Palestine Coalition took place in central London, calling for an end to British arms sales to Israel. The procession moved from Victoria Embankment through Westminster Bridge to Whitehall. While organizers estimated 250,000 attendees, police anticipated between 7,000 and 10,000. The Metropolitan Police reported 20 arrests, including arrests during the event. These included six for individuals suspected of criminal damage at after climbing the Battle of Britain memorial, memorial at Victoria Embankment, where wreaths were reported as broken and smashed. Other arrests involved two people for refusing to remove face coverings, and two for displaying placards in support of the proscribed group Palestine Action. Action, and several others for suspected public order offenses and assaulting police officers. During the demonstrations, some protesters reported that police officers became aggressive while attempting to detain a participant near a war memorial, alleging the use of excessive force including pushing and shoving. Meanwhile, a smaller pro-Israel counterdemonstration, organized by Stop The Hate, gathered outside New Scotland Yard, with police utilizing barriers to keep the two groups separated.