Nearly 500 Arrested at Trafalgar Square Protest Supporting Banned Palestine Action Group

London, 7 October 2025 — Nearly 500 people were arrested at a major Trafalgar Square protest in central London on Tuesday, after demonstrators defied government restrictions and gathered to show solidarity with Palestine Action, a recently banned activist group. The large pro-Palestinian protest comes amid rising tension across the UK following a deadly Manchester synagogue attack and increasing political debate over free expression and national security.

Police Confirm Hundreds Arrested at Trafalgar Square

According to an official statement from the Metropolitan Police, 493 individuals were arrested under Section 12 of the UK Terrorism Act 2000, which prohibits public support for proscribed organizations. Officers said those detained ranged in age from 18 to 89 and included clergy, disabled activists, and elderly demonstrators.

The arrests followed warnings issued last week when Palestine Action was officially banned under the UK’s anti-terrorism laws. The Home Office said the group’s “direct action tactics” against defence companies risked “public safety and national security.”

Met Police Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said:

“We made it clear that any public demonstration linked to a proscribed organization would be unlawful. Despite that, a large number of individuals chose to participate. Our officers acted proportionately and within the law.”

Officers deployed around 1,500 police personnel across Westminster to maintain order. While most arrests were peaceful, some protesters clashed briefly with officers near Whitehall, leading to additional arrests for obstruction and resisting police.

Why the Protest Happened

The Trafalgar Square protest was organized by Defend Our Juries, a civil liberties coalition that has supported Palestine Action’s legal defence campaigns. The group announced the rally shortly after the Palestine Action ban was confirmed on 2 October 2025.

The demonstrators gathered to condemn what they described as “the criminalisation of dissent” and to express opposition to the UK government’s continued trade relations with Israel amid the Gaza war. Organizers claimed that around 1,000 people joined the rally at its peak.

Protesters carried placards reading “End the genocide” and “Free Palestine Action,” while others displayed banners calling for an immediate arms embargo against Israel. Footage verified by BBC News showed police carrying away elderly protesters, including a 79-year-old daughter of a Holocaust survivor and an 83-year-old Anglican priest. A few wheelchair users were also among those detained.

The Palestine Action Ban and Its Background

Palestine Action was established in 2020 and is known for direct actions targeting arms factories and suppliers linked to Israel, particularly Elbit Systems, an Israeli defence contractor with multiple UK-based subsidiaries. Members have previously occupied factory rooftops, vandalised property, and chained themselves to gates to disrupt operations.

The UK Home Office, in its proscription notice issued on 2 October 2025, stated that the group’s actions “crossed into violent and threatening territory” and therefore qualified as terrorism-related under UK anti-terrorism laws.

Home Secretary James Cleverly defended the decision, saying the government would “not tolerate violence masquerading as activism.”

However, human rights groups such as Amnesty International UK and Liberty criticised the ban, calling it an “attack on peaceful protest and the right to dissent.” They argued that the decision sets a dangerous precedent for classifying civil disobedience as terrorism.

Keir Starmer’s Protest Appeal and National Context

Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged demonstrators to postpone all pro-Palestinian rallies in October 2025, citing the nation’s grief following the Manchester synagogue attack on 3 October. Two people were killed in that attack before police neutralised the suspect, who was reportedly inspired by extremist ideology.

Starmer said in an address to Parliament:

“Now is a time for unity, not division. We must stand together — Muslims, Jews, and all Britons — against extremism in every form.”

Despite this Keir Starmer protest appeal, organizers refused to cancel the Trafalgar Square protest, arguing that “mourning one tragedy does not mean silencing another.”

Zoe Cohen, a Jewish member of Defend Our Juries, told The Guardian:

“We can mourn the victims of the Manchester synagogue attack while also standing against the killing of Palestinian civilians. This protest is about protecting democracy and speaking truth to power.”

London Police Arrests and Legal Measures

The London police arrests have sparked a heated legal and political debate. Critics accused the Metropolitan Police of using excessive force, while others praised the decisive response.

According to police data shared with Sky News, more than 2,000 people have been arrested in London since July 2025 in connection with pro-Palestinian protests and Palestine Action-related activism.

The UK government is now preparing to introduce new protest restrictions, allowing senior officers to impose temporary bans on “repeat or disruptive demonstrations” in the same public spaces. These measures are expected to become part of the Public Order (Amendment) Bill, to be debated in Parliament later this month.

Civil liberties groups argue that these policies represent a serious threat to protest rights in the UK. The Liberty legal group warned that “the broad powers granted under new UK protest restrictions could be used to suppress peaceful dissent of all kinds.”

Jewish Community UK Response

The Jewish community in the UK has expressed mixed reactions. Many Jewish organizations condemned the protest’s timing, calling it “deeply insensitive” given the synagogue attack.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews said in a statement:

“We respect the right to protest, but holding a mass demonstration days after a deadly anti-Semitic attack is hurtful and inflammatory.”

However, several Jewish peace activists participated in the demonstration, saying their goal was to separate criticism of Israeli policy from hatred against Jews.

Rabbi Miriam Berger, one of the few clergy arrested, told reporters:

“Our Jewish identity compels us to oppose oppression. Standing with Palestinians does not mean standing against Jews — it means standing for humanity.”

Government’s Balancing Act: Security vs Free Speech

The UK government now faces a difficult balancing act. Ministers must justify strong anti-terrorism laws and protest limits while avoiding accusations of authoritarianism.

A spokesperson for the Home Office reiterated that the Palestine Action ban was “about safety, not silencing.”

“No government should tolerate violent or threatening behaviour under the banner of protest. The right to protest exists, but it must be lawful,” the spokesperson said.

In contrast, Labour backbench MPs and several legal experts have called for an independent review into how protest police clashes in London are being handled. Human Rights Watch UK said the “mass criminalisation” of activists raises questions about the proportionality of the state’s response.

Pro-Palestinian Rallies Across the UK

The Trafalgar Square protest is part of a broader wave of pro-Palestinian rallies in the UK in October 2025. Similar demonstrations have taken place in Birmingham, Glasgow, and Bristol, though none have seen arrests on this scale.

Public sympathy toward Palestinians has grown amid rising civilian casualties in Gaza following renewed conflict between Israel and Hamas. Yet, the UK government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action has sharply divided public opinion — between those who view the group as courageous activists and those who see them as extremists.

The Wider Impact

Analysts say the Trafalgar Square protest marks a significant moment in Britain’s domestic debate on democracy, dissent, and the global implications of the Gaza war protests in the UK.

Dr. Hannah Lister, a political sociologist at King’s College London, said:

“We are witnessing a shift in how the British state manages public order. The line between civil disobedience and national security is being redrawn.”

As investigations continue and protesters face potential prosecution, London remains a focal point for both activism and government response. The situation underscores the growing tension between free expression and public safety, a dilemma likely to shape the UK’s political climate for months to come.

Read Also: https://britonnews.co.uk/uk-police-protest-powers-2025

FAQ: Trafalgar Square Protest & Palestine Action

What is Palestine Action?

Palestine Action is a UK-based activist group that has become known for direct actions against companies involved in arms manufacturing and exports, particularly those linked to Israel. Their protests focus on disrupting operations at military suppliers like Elbit Systems. The group advocates for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine, and their tactics have led to legal challenges, including being banned by the UK government in October 2025.

Why was Palestine Action banned in the UK?

Palestine Action was banned in the UK under the Anti-Terrorism Act 2000 after repeated direct action protests targeting arms manufacturers. The UK Home Office cited public safety risks and violent disruptions caused by their actions, which included damaging military equipment and obstructing defense contractors. The group’s activities were deemed illegal, and its ban has sparked significant debate over free speech and protest rights in the UK.

How many were arrested at the Trafalgar Square protest?

At the Trafalgar Square protest on 7 October 2025, nearly 500 individuals were arrested. The arrests were made under the Terrorism Act for public support of Palestine Action, a proscribed group. The protest, which opposed the ban, saw widespread participation, including elderly activists and people with disabilities. The protest’s scale has raised questions about the UK’s approach to pro-Palestinian protests and the limits on protest rights in the UK.

What happened at the Trafalgar Square protest in October 2025?

The Trafalgar Square protest in October 2025 was a large-scale demonstration in support of Palestine Action, which had recently been banned under UK anti-terrorism laws. Despite the ban, 1,000 protesters gathered to express their opposition to the proscription and highlight the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The protest was met with a heavy police presence, leading to nearly 500 arrests for supporting the banned group and obstructing police efforts. Tensions escalated as demonstrators clashed with police near Whitehall.

Who is organizing the Palestine Action protests?

The Palestine Action protests are organized by a coalition of groups, most notably Defend Our Juries, which has rallied in defense of activists involved in Palestine Action’s campaigns. This coalition advocates for the right to protest and opposes what it sees as the criminalization of dissent. Defend Our Juries and other activist networks have mobilized protests across the UK, with the Trafalgar Square protest being one of the most significant in recent months.

What laws ban Palestine Action in the UK?

Palestine Action was banned under the UK’s Terrorism Act 2000, which allows the government to proscribe organizations it deems to pose a threat to national security. The ban was imposed after the group’s repeated disruptive actions targeted military contractors supplying arms to Israel. This decision has been contentious, with some critics arguing it undermines the right to protest in the UK.

What is the UK government's response to Palestine Action protests?

The UK government has strongly opposed Palestine Action’s activities, asserting that the group’s actions have escalated to the level of terrorism. In response to the Trafalgar Square protest and other demonstrations, the government has enforced the Anti-Terrorism Act and is considering further protest restrictions. Senior officials, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have called for protests to be conducted peacefully and within the law, emphasizing the need for national unity in the aftermath of events like the Manchester synagogue attack.

How is the UK police handling protests in London?

The London police have been heavily involved in managing pro-Palestinian protests in the capital. Following the Trafalgar Square protest, Metropolitan Police deployed over 1,500 officers to handle potential unrest. Officers have been tasked with upholding the proscription of Palestine Action and preventing demonstrations that support the banned group. In some cases, protests have led to police clashes, with officers using kettling tactics and arrests to control crowds.

Why are pro-Palestinian protests controversial in the UK?

Pro-Palestinian protests have become increasingly controversial in the UK due to their connection to broader geopolitical tensions, including the Gaza war and UK relations with Israel. Critics argue that some protests, such as those organized by Palestine Action, use extreme tactics that disrupt daily life and challenge national security. Supporters, however, claim these actions are necessary to draw attention to human rights abuses and the plight of Palestinians. The ongoing debate involves balancing protest rights with the need for public order and security.

What was the Manchester synagogue attack?

The Manchester synagogue attack took place on 3 October 2025, when a gunman targeted a synagogue in the city, killing two individuals before being neutralized by police. This attack, which was widely condemned by the UK’s Jewish community, has influenced the political discourse around pro-Palestinian protests. Many critics of the protests argue that the demonstrations, particularly those linked to Palestine Action, are insensitive given the recent anti-Semitic violence. The Manchester attack also prompted Keir Starmer’s protest appeal for unity and respect during national mourning.