Over the summer, British police made over 1,300 arrests at Palestine Action protests. This is five times more arrests for terrorism-related protests in the United Kingdom than in all of 2024.
The Defend Our Juries campaign group has organized many Palestine Action protests over the last couple months. This all comes after individuals supporting Palestine Action snuck into an air base in the U.K. and spray painted a Royal Air Force (RAF) Voyager plane.
Those who attend the protests don’t march through the streets, or push back against the police. Instead, they sit or stand in an open area and hold signs that say “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.”
In July 2025 the United Kingdom government banned the support of the protest group Palestine Action. Under the Terrorism Act of 2000, Palestine Action is a part of the list of terrorist organizations. This puts Palestine Action alongside groups such as al-Qaida and Islamic State group (IS). The law makes clothing, items, cards or posters supporting Palestine Action a criminal offense.
This protest isn’t a one-off however, in recent months the protests have grown in length of time and in participation. Protests have popped up all over the U.K. from London, to Liverpool, to Manchester, even Glasgow.
In late September protests were held in Liverpool outside the Labour Party’s conference, where dozens were arrested. The demonstrations have drawn criticism of the Labour Party and their handling of the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. Many citizens believe the government has become complicit in the genocide of Palestinian people.
An elderly man named Richard Whitmore-Jones had never protested in his life, but at the age of 74 he has been arrested three times for peacefully protesting and he now faces three sets of terrorism charges, for which he must appear in court.
His wife, Marji Mansfield who is 69 shares the same sentiments as her husband despite being picked up and carried away in handcuffs by police officers. Videos online show other older people who can barely walk and can easily be hurt being picked up and forcibly carried into the back of a police car.
On Sept. 6, 1,500 people took part in a protest where nearly 900 people were arrested, all for peacefully protesting and supporting Palestinian Action. People held the same signs saying “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action” at 1 p.m. that day. Not long after, Metropolitan police started to make arrests.
The protest organizers, Defend Our Juries, believe officers assaulted many of the peaceful protesters including older people. Additionally they said the protests will continue until the ban is lifted.
A Defend Our Juries spokesperson shared their thoughts about the current state of speech in the U.K. where many can relate to their feelings. Many believe that what is going on is nothing short of a scandal, that thousands are arrested for protesting a genocide. Those arrested range from priests, to students and healthcare workers. Many feel the right of free speech and protest have been stripped away to protect business interests rather than the people.
Banksy, the famous street artist and political activist, had a mural covered up by metal barriers, and is guarded by two officers have been spotted guarding the area. The art depicts a judge in a traditional powdered wig striking down a protester with blood sprayed on the placard.
Although his art isn’t depicting literal events, it is a wake up call to many. All of a sudden, basic rights have been stripped from the U.K. citizens. Those being arrested aren’t violent crime offenders, or dangers to the general public. Many of them are ordinary people and people who are doing what is right.
There is hope for the Palestine Action group however, as a High Court judge ruled the co-founder, Huda Ammori can challenge the ban of the organization under anti-terrorism laws. What is happening in the U.K. is simple: it is a restriction of the people’s right to protest and a display of the government’s complicity in a genocide.
