Fifty-five people have been arrested in central London for displaying placards in support of proscribed group Palestine Action, Met Police has said.
Demonstrations are taking place in cities including London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol and Truro after the group was officially proscribed as a terrorist organisation two weeks ago.
Dozens of protesters assembled in Parliament Square on Saturday afternoon holding white placards that read: “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.”
Some demonstrators were led away in handcuffs, while others were carried off by officers. In a post on X, the Metropolitan Police said: “Officers have moved in and arrests are taking place.”
Police said the 55 people arrested were arrested under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
The Met had previously said around 70 people were arrested at similar protests in Parliament Square over the past two weekends.
Defend Our Juries, the group coordinating the campaign, claims a total of 120 people have now been arrested across the UK.
The force warned that anyone expressing support for Palestine Action was likely to be arrested, adding that officers were also monitoring for chants such as “death to the IDF”, led by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan at Glastonbury Festival.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans to proscribe Palestine Action after two Voyager aircraft were allegedly damaged at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on 20 June, causing an estimated £7 million worth of damage.
The ban, under the Terrorism Act 2000, makes it a criminal offence to be a member of or show support for the group — with a maximum sentence of up to 14 years in prison. Wearing a badge or T-shirt bearing the group’s name now carries a potential six-month jail term.
Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori is seeking to challenge the ban, with a hearing to determine whether a judicial review can proceed set to take place at the High Court on Monday.
Meanwhile, eight people have been arrested after protesters gathered to show support for Palestine Action near Truro Cathedral.
Devon and Cornwall Police said in a statement that around 30 protesters were involved in the "peaceful" Defend Our Juries demonstration.
The force went on: "A number of placards which were contrary to the law remained on display despite police advice.
"Eight people, two men and six women, were arrested on suspicion of offences under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
"They remain in police custody."
Avon and Somerset Police said 17 people were arrested during a protest in Bristol.
The force added: "Officers engaged with protesters on College Green, explaining that the recent proscription of the Palestine Action group by the Government made it a criminal offence to express support for it under the Terrorism Act 2000.
"Seventeen people were arrested under Section 13 of the act and several placards were seized.
"A further three people will be invited to attend a voluntary interview at a future date.
"We will always aim to enable peaceful protest, however where criminal offences are committed, including those related to proscribed groups, we will intervene."
