Almost 500 people were arrested at a pro-Palestine Action demonstration in central London on Saturday.
The demonstration went ahead despite calls from the Metropolitan Police , Prime Minister and the Home Secretary to reconsider staging it in the wake of the Manchester synagogue terror attack.
Protest group Defend Our Juries said the protest in Trafalgar Square against the Government’s terror ban of Palestine Action was going ahead because “cancelling peaceful protests lets terror win”.
The Met has raised concerns about the drain of police resources from the protest at a time when "visible reassurance and protective security" is needed in Jewish communities across London. Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said it will “likely create further tensions and some might say lacks sensitivity”.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood called protests going ahead following the attack “fundamentally un-British”. Sir Keir Starmer urged people planning to attend pro-Palestine protests this weekend “to recognise and respect the grief of British Jews”.
Around 700 people "including priests, vicars, pensioners and healthcare workers", are estimated to have attended the protest and face arrest for showing support for Palestine Action. The previous two protests have seen a total of 1,422 people arrested, the majority for supporting a proscribed organisation. More than 130 people have been charged.
It is part of an escalation in action by Defend Our Juries that included the Labour conference being targeted.
Scroll down for the latest updates.
Key points
- Six arrested after unfurling banner supporting Palestine Action
- Blind man and his partner among those arrested
- Arrests breach human rights obligations, warns Amnesty
- 442 people arrested, Met Police say
Conservatives to support new police powers to clampdown on protests
10:14 , Matt WattsThe Conservatives would support Labour's proposal to expand policing powers to deal with persistent protests, Kemi Badenoch has said.
She told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: "Of course we will support them.
"But what took them so long?
"And the issue, from my perspective, is why should the public trust a Home Secretary who not that long ago was protesting herself, lay down, closed a Sainsbury's supermarket because it was stocking Israeli goods?"
She added: "We believe in free speech, but that has to be within the bounds of the law.
"If people are using protest to intimidate, if they're using protest to incite violence, then no, it's not protest."
Event in Trafalgar Square ahead of two year anniversary of October 7 attacks
09:01 , Matt WattsA British Jewish organisation is marking the two-year anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel with an event in Trafalgar Square today.
The event comes a day after almost 500 people were arrested over pro-Palestine protests in London.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews (BDBJ) is holding the commemorative event ahead of Tuesday's anniversary of the October 7 attacks on Israel, which triggered the war in Gaza.
Speakers include Sharone Lifschitz, a British Israeli academic and filmmaker and daughter of two former hostages, and Adam Ma'anit, a British-Israeli writer and campaigner whose cousin was taken hostage on October 7.
Shaun Lemel, a survivor of the attack on the Nova music festival, is also scheduled to speak while British-Israeli former hostage Emily Damari will address the event via video.
The BDBJ said security checks would be in place and there would be an enhanced police presence at the event following the Manchester synagogue terror attack.
Over 2,000 arrested for support of Palestine Action
08:55 , Matt WattsOver 2,000 people have now been arrested at protests in support of Palestine Action, the group behind the demos has said.
Some 488 people were arrested in Trafalgar Square on Saturday for supporting a proscribed organisation.
Defend Our Juries said this brings the total number arrested for defying the Palestine Action ban to over 2,000 since it came into effect on 5 July.
The group called it an “extraordinary affront to democracy”.
Pro-Palestine protests face crackdown as police to be granted new powers
08:41 , Matt WattsThe Government has announced a crackdown on repeated protests in the wake of Saturday’s Trafalgar Square protest.
Police are to be given greater powers to restrict protests after demonstrations in support of Palestine Action went ahead despite pleas to cancel following the Manchester synagogue attack.
Police forces will be allowed to consider the "cumulative impact" of repeated demonstrations in order to impose conditions on public processions and assemblies.
Police could get the power to stop a protest going ahead under a review that has been order.
Read more in our full report here.
Police Service Northern Ireland assist Met Police in arresting last few protesters
Saturday 4 October 2025 19:17 , Megan HoweOfficers from the Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) have assisted in arresting some of the last few protesters.
The officers, in bottle green uniform, were heckled by one woman who shouted "shame on you, don't you know your history?" as they helped carry a man who had been arrested in Trafalgar Square away from crowds.
There are just a few people left in Trafalgar Square holding signs supporting Palestine Action, as larger crowds watch on.
Met Police say 442 people arrested
Saturday 4 October 2025 19:10 , Megan HoweMet Police has made 442 arrests at the pro-Palestine protest today.
A spokesperson for Met Police said: “As of 6.30pm officers had arrested 442 people for supporting a proscribed organisation.
“A different protest group gathered in Whitehall, blocking the road before trying to march first towards Trafalgar Square, then Parliament Square.
As of 6.30pm officers had arrested 442 people for supporting a proscribed organisation.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) October 4, 2025
A different protest group gathered in Whitehall, blocking the road before trying to march first towards Trafalgar Square, then Parliament Square. Officers have intervened. pic.twitter.com/PJJuXGMLrF
'We are going to win this battle' says man arrested
Saturday 4 October 2025 18:22 , Megan HoweA protester supporting Palestine Action said "we are going to win this battle" as he awaited arrest in Trafalgar Square.
Mike Higgins, 62, who is blind and uses a wheelchair, said he expects to be arrested for holding a poster supporting the banned group as police continue to detain activists.
He said he is here again "because of the genocide, the absolute, dreadful inhumanity of the Israeli state in the way that is treating the people of Palestine".
Asked why he did not heed Sir Keir Starmer's calls to postpone or cancel today's action, he said: "Well, I didn't think he negotiated with terrorists. We're supposed to be terrorists, aren't we Sir Keir now, either we are or we're not.
"If we're not terrorists, then leave us alone. Let us protest. Let us demonstrate for the right to freedom of speech."
He added: "We are going to win this battle, by the way, there's no doubt about that. The problem for me is that I want to win it now to try and bring an end to the suffering in Palestine."
Circle of protesters gets gradually smaller
Saturday 4 October 2025 17:42 , Megan HoweSupporters of protestors are chanting “from the river to the sea Palestine will be free” near those sitting holding placards.
The circle of protestors is getting increasingly smaller as police continue arrests almost five hours after the demonstration began.
Arrests continue.
355 people have been arrested, Met Police say
Saturday 4 October 2025 17:32 , Megan HoweAs of 5.20pm, over 350 people have been arrested by Met Police.
A spokesperson for the force said: “As of 5.20pm, 355 people had been arrested for supporting a proscribed organisation.
“The majority of people still remaining in Trafalgar Square are onlookers who are holding placards in support of Palestine Action.
“Arrests continue.”
In Pictures: Around 100 people continue to protest
Saturday 4 October 2025 17:31 , Megan HoweAround 100 people continue to protest this afternoon as officers line up at the steps of Trafalgar Square.
Demonstrators have been heard shouting “Shame on you” at police.
Police continue with arrests
Saturday 4 October 2025 17:15 , Megan HoweAs a woman continued to read out the names of Palestinian children killed in the Israel-Hamas conflict, police are arresting more people for supporting banned group Palestine Action in Trafalgar Square.
Among those yet to be arrested is Mike Higgins, 62, who is blind and uses a wheelchair.
He has been arrested before for showing support for the proscribed group and is holding a sign with the same words: "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action."
Protester says continued proscription of Palestine Action is 'disgraceful'
Saturday 4 October 2025 16:49 , Megan HoweProtester Bernadette, 67, explains she has come out in support of Palestine Action today because she believes the proscription of the group is “unjustified”.
The UN and Amnesty International have both described it as ‘disproportionate’ and the fact the government, a Labour government, is still adhering to the proscription is disgraceful”, she says.
Arrests breach human rights obligations, warns Amnesty
Saturday 4 October 2025 16:37 , Megan HoweAmnesty International UK has released a statement on the protest taking place today.
Kerry Moscogiuri, Amnesty International UK’s Director of Campaigns and Communications, said: “Defend Our Juries are expecting large numbers of arrests at today’s protest.
“We now have a good idea how these protests play out, but it will never stop being upsetting and shocking to witness older people, people with disabilities, doctors in scrubs, young people and relatives of holocaust survivors being hauled from the streets into police vans.
“Police chiefs have discretion as to how they choose to police demonstrations.
“Arresting hundreds of people for peacefully sitting down and holding these signs is not the job of police.
“These arrests are in breach of the UK's international human rights obligations and should not be happening.“
“Amnesty International has deployed observers to the demonstration today to monitor police conduct and whether the right to protest is upheld.
“The UK Government should not be criminalising and demonising these peaceful demonstrators to distract from their failure to take meaningful action to end Israel’s genocide.”
Pen being used to process people appears to be full
Saturday 4 October 2025 16:25 , Megan HoweA pen being used to process people who have been arrested for supporting Palestine Action appears to be full.
A police officer was heard telling officers "no more through here" as more than 20 arrestees waited inside the pen.
Many are lying on the concrete as officers search their belongings while they wait to be formally processed.
Met Police continue with arrests
Saturday 4 October 2025 16:10 , Megan HoweAround 100 peaceful protestors holding signs with read “I oppose genocide I support Palestine action” remain in the centre of Trafalgar Square.
The demonstrators have been sat peacefully and silently holding their signs since 1pm.
Groups of around six police officers at a time are entering the group of demonstrators, informing them that they are under arrest, taking their signs and either escorting or carrying them to a cordoned off area to the west or Trafalgar Square.
175 people arrested at pro-Palestine protest, Met Police say
Saturday 4 October 2025 16:00 , Megan HoweMet Police has confirmed as of 3.45pm, 175 people have been arrested at the protest today.
A spokesperson for Met Police said: “Our policing operation in Trafalgar Square continues.
“As of 3.45pm officers had made 175 arrests for supporting a proscribed organisation, including the six on Westminster Bridge earlier.
“The arrest phase takes time.
“Many of those arrested won’t walk out of the square and need to be carried, something that requires a minimum of five officers to do safely.”
Protester arrested and let go for sign which read 'I support Plasticine Action'
Saturday 4 October 2025 15:52 , Megan HoweLarry Ross, 66, from Buckinghamshire was arrested at around 1.30pm for holding a sign which read: ‘I oppose genocide. I support Plasticine Action.’
After he was arrested, police realised he had not written ‘I support Palestine Action’ and released him.
Speaking to The Standard, he said: “In the immediate aftermath it was slightly traumatic but I’m ok now.
“I wrote this sign to show what I really mean without saying it and raise awareness about what’s going on.”
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Daughter of flotilla detainee calls for sanctions on Israel
Saturday 4 October 2025 15:40 , Megan HoweA woman whose mother was captured during the interception of the global sumud flotilla has called on the Irish Government to impose sanctions on Israel.
Jenna Almai said her mother Maureen had been detained while sailing on board the Paola I, which was one of more than 40 vessels intercepted while trying to carry aid to Gaza.
Speaking at a pro-Palestinian rally in Dublin on Saturday, she said: "I'm here standing in solidarity with Palestinians, today marks just around two years of the genocide.
"I'm here as well to speak to the crowd about by mother, who was one of the participants on the flotilla.
"She was abducted by the IOF and brought to an Israeli prison. It's been very difficult to kind of get clear updates about her specifically and about the participants in general."
Ms Almai said she had received an update that legal teams had by Friday met with around 130 of the more than 400 people who had been detained.
"I didn't get any specific information about my mother. I know that the Irish embassy and the ambassador and consular service were out to the participants in the prison two days and yesterday.
"We just received a message there that 130 or so people have been deported to Turkey, that they were en route to Turkey.
"None of them were Irish citizens, so I'm not sure what's the status of my mother or the Irish participants and I'm just waiting for updates."
Ms Almai said the primary objective of the flotilla was to bring food and medical aid to a population that had been starved, bombed and besieged.
Blind man and his partner among those arrested
Saturday 4 October 2025 15:35 , Megan HoweA blind man and his partner have been arrested as they sat in Trafalgar Square holding signs supporting banned group Palestine Action.
The blind man using a white cane was escorted by a police officer to be processed and his partner walked behind him.
Meanwhile, a counter protester who chanted "Free, free Palestine from Hamas" near to where arrestees are being processed was taken into the police pen, before he was allowed back out into Trafalgar Square.
Pro-Palestine supporters shouted "arrest him".
Daughter of Holocaust survivor speaks out as she is arrested at protest
Saturday 4 October 2025 15:21 , Megan HoweElizabeth Morley, 79, who lives in Wales, was arrested at the protest today. This marks the third time she’s been arrested in support of Palestine.
She told The Standard: “I was accosted on the street of London by a man walking towards me pointing at my badge and he said ‘how dare you?’ and I said ‘pardon?’
“’After what happened in Manchester, how dare you?’
“And its unbelievable, he was associating that badge with a terrorist attack in Manchester, at a synagogue. Whats that got to do with it? What’s Palestine got to do with some idiot who attacked people in Manchester.
“He didnt give me chance to tell him I’m the daughter of a Holocaust survivor. I’m Jewish.”
“Never again means never again for everybody,” she added.
Sisters raising money for Palestine near to the protest action
Saturday 4 October 2025 15:12 , Megan HoweTwo ladies running a charity stall called “Sisters for Palestine” have set up a stall near to the protest action.
Shakila, from east London, said: “We’ve come out today because we’ve been protesting for two years and we haven’t been able to make a difference. “Palestinian people are being starved of water and food.
“We want to help. We’ve done the marching it’s not made any difference. “We want to make a difference on the ground and feed people.”
Their charity raises money to supply food, warm clothes and tents to those in Palestine.
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Six arrested after unfurling banner supporting Palestine Action
Saturday 4 October 2025 14:56 , Megan HoweMet Police has said a group of six protesters have been arrested after unfurling a banner in support of Palestine Action.
A spokesperson for the force said: “A group of six people unfurled a banner in support of Palestine Action on Westminster Bridge.
“Officers were quickly on scene, the banner had been removed and the six people involved have been arrested for supporting a proscribed organisation.”
Palestine Action became a proscribed organisation on July 5.
A group of six people unfurled a banner in support of Palestine Action on Westminster Bridge.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) October 4, 2025
Officers were quickly on scene, the banner had been removed and the six people involved have been arrested for supporting a proscribed organisation. pic.twitter.com/NQOz3GEvsk
Kemi Badenoch visits scene of Manchester synagogue terror attack
Saturday 4 October 2025 14:48 , Megan HoweConservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has visited the scene of the Manchester synagogue terror attack.
Two men, Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, were killed in the attack while another four worshippers were injured in the stabbing frenzy on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish year.
Badenoch was joined by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Assistant Chief Constable John Webster as she visited the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall.
Trafalgar Square is 'busy' but many protesters are not carrying signs
Saturday 4 October 2025 14:33 , Shaun WilsonTrafalgar Square is “busy” as a protest kicks off in aid of Palestine Action but many of the demonstrators are not carrying signs in support of the proscribed organisation, according to the Met Police.
Officers have begun making arrests in Trafalgar Square where people are displaying placards in support of Palestine Action.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) October 4, 2025
The square is busy, but quite a few people in the crowd appear to be observing/supporting but not carrying placards themselves. pic.twitter.com/M0pYAZmGh6
Elderly woman arrested as Defend Our Juries estimates '700 people' at protest
Saturday 4 October 2025 14:29 , Shaun Wilson
An elderly woman sat away from crowds at the Palestine Action protest has been arrested and escorted away for showing support for the banned group.
The woman had a cardboard sign face down on her lap and was approached by officers who asked her to show it to them. After turning it over to reveal it said “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action”, she was arrested and taken away.
She was thanked by crowds who clapped and cheered as she walked away. An organiser for Defend Our Juries said she estimates around 700 protesters are in Trafalgar Square showing their support for banned Palestine Action.
A number of protesters have already been arrested and are being taken to the south-west side of Trafalgar Square, where officers and police vehicles are waiting to process the arrests.
Arrests continue as around 200 people sit peacefully
Saturday 4 October 2025 14:16 , Shaun Wilson
The arrests continue while around 200 people are sat in the square peacefully with signs. Meanwhile, hundreds of people are surrounding the area as witnesses to the action.
Defend Our Juries has deployed many welfare officers to support those protesting. They are wearing orange vests and ensuring that those protesting are safe, offering them cups of tea and checking in with them.
Storm Amy can be felt at Trafalgar Square, the wind is heavy and is currently blowing the water from the fountain across the square.
Vicar is among the protesters arrested
Saturday 4 October 2025 14:13 , Shaun WilsonA vicar has been arrested and carried out by police among crowds at today’s protest in central London. The woman was sat with her eyes closed and holding a poster which said “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action”.
A police officer told the woman in Trafalgar Square she was under arrest and asked her to stand before other officers helped carry her out of crowds.
Some people in the crowd called police “shameful” and one said to officers “thanks for protecting us” as the woman was taken away.
In a statement on X, the Met said: “Officers have begun making arrests in Trafalgar Square where people are displaying placards in support of Palestine Action.“The square is busy, but quite a few people in the crowd appear to be observing/supporting but not carrying placards themselves.”
More protesters carried away by police
Saturday 4 October 2025 14:08 , Shaun Wilson
Footage shows hundreds of protesters sat solemnly at Trafalgar Square, many holding signs with the caption, “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine action”.
Police are continuing to physically carry those they have arrested from the scene, with some demonstrators lying on the pavement as they await arrest.
Crowds are chanting “Free free Palestine” as arrests continue.
More arrests as protesters clap for those detained by police
Saturday 4 October 2025 13:41 , Shaun Wilson
At least 200 people are now sat silently and peacefully with signs, with around six or seven arrests seen by our reporter since 1pm.
Demonstrators are clapping every time someone is taken away by police, and many are chanting: “Resistance is justified when Palestine is occupied.”
'Several protesters' have now been arrested
Saturday 4 October 2025 13:30 , Shaun Wilson
Several protestors who held signs in support of Palestine Action have been arrested. Around six officers are surrounding them and carrying them away from where they were sitting in Trafalgar Square. Protestors were sitting and lying on the pavement.
Other supporters are clapping in solidarity as the protestors with Palestine Action signs were led away by police.
Jewish woman fights back tears as she backs action group
Saturday 4 October 2025 13:20 , Shaun Wilson
Zoe Cohen, 55, from Warrington, is a Jewish woman who was brought to tears speaking about how she is supporting action today in memory of her parents - who she says would be horrified that she has been charged under the Terrorism Act for peaceful protest.
Today, she is supporting Defend Our Juries and she is not holding a sign but was charged for doing so in August
She told the Standard: "I'm here in support of the many hundreds of people who will be sitting peacefully in a silent vigil today, holding a simple, home-made sign.
"We're almost at the two-year anniversary of this appalling genocide which the UK government has been complicit in, and still denies the reality that it is a genocide.
"On top of that, [the government] has proscribed a non-violent direct action group as a terrorist group, in an unprecedented move."
First arrest as protesters wave signs
Saturday 4 October 2025 13:07 , Shaun WilsonPolice have warned a protester about their sign as around 100 people have gathered at Trafalgar Square for today’s rally in support of Palestine Action. Several signs are being held which read “drop the ban defend the right to protest” and “it’s not a crime to act against genocide”.
Three officers have entered the crowd of sign-holders and are speaking to them. A police officer told the first person they’re under arrest for holding a sign
Daughter of Holocaust survivor among those at protest
Saturday 4 October 2025 12:48 , Matt WattsThe daughter of a Holocaust survivor is among those who is joining the protest.
Carolyn Gelenter, 67, from London , said: “I'm supporting lifting the ban on Palestine Action and the deprescription of Palestine action, and I'm intending to be part of the reading out of the 20,000 children's names that have died.
“And then I'm gonna stand under the banner that says Holocaust survivors and descendants against the genocide, and that's why I'm here, I feel compelled as the daughter of a Holocaust survivor to come here and say that what happened in Manchester is absolutely devastating.
“What Defend Our Juries are doing here today is peaceful and dignified and within our democratic rights because everybody agrees that proscribing people, proscribing Palestine Action.
And people, mostly older people, arresting them for holding up signs is just a waste of police resources.
Protesters drape banners over Westminster Bridge
Saturday 4 October 2025 12:37 , Matt WattsA small number of protesters have draped banners over Westminster Bridge in support of banned group Palestine Action.
The campaigners from Defend Our Juries initially struggled to get the banners out in the wind, but managed to hold two banners over the north side of the bridge which read “I oppose genocide” and “I support Palestine Action”.
The group said it expects 1,500 to attend a protest in Trafalgar Square at 1pm.
Protesters begin to gather ahead of start of pro-Palestine demonstration
Saturday 4 October 2025 12:32 , Matt WattsProtesters have begun to gather in Trafalgar Square, with a visible police presence.
According to our reporter at the scene, Charlotte Ambrose, there are around five police vans and at least 50 officers.
There are dozens of protesters so far.
Prime Minister urges protesters to 'recognise and respect the grief of British Jews'
Saturday 4 October 2025 11:25 , Shaun WilsonThe Prime Minister has urged those attending today’s protest against the Government’s ban on Palestine Action to reconsider, adding it is “not a time to stoke tension and cause further pain”.
I urge anyone thinking about protesting this weekend to recognise and respect the grief of British Jews.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 4, 2025
This is a moment of mourning. It is not a time to stoke tension and cause further pain. It is a time to stand together.
We are a country that welcomes all people, no matter…
Calls to widen police powers to crack down on protest
Saturday 4 October 2025 10:28 , Shaun Wilson
Police powers should be strengthened to ban "disgraceful" Pro-Palestine protests set to go ahead in the wake of the Manchester synagogue attack, the shadow home secretary has said.
Organisers of demonstrations in Manchester and London are defying calls by Sir Keir Starmer and police bosses to reconsider following the killing of two people in the terror attack.
The Prime Minister has urged protesters to "respect the grief of British Jews", while Jewish figures have called the action "phenomenally tone deaf".
But a protest in central London campaigning against the proscription of Palestine Action will proceed on Saturday.
Tory Cabinet minister Chris Philp said he would "go further than saying simply they should step back".
He told BBC Breakfast: "I think it's extremely insensitive, grossly insensitive to the Jewish community in Manchester, but across the whole United Kingdom, who are still grieving following the appalling murder that we saw on Thursday morning.
"And secondly, both the police in Greater Manchester, but also the Metropolitan Police in London have said that the resources, the police resources required to police these protests mean they may not be able to properly protect synagogues and the Jewish community at this obviously very sensitive time.
"So for those two reasons, I think the organisers should call off these protests.
"I think it's frankly disgraceful that they have not done so."
The shadow home secretary argued that laws should be widened so that static protests can be prevented by authorities.
Police can request the power to ban marches under Section 13 of the Public Order Act 1986 if there is a threat of serious public disorder.
But they cannot ban an assembly, or static protest, outright under the Act.
Who are Defend Our Juries?
Saturday 4 October 2025 09:50 , Shaun WilsonWho are Defend Our Juries? Hundreds of demonstrators are expected at the group’s peaceful protest in central London today. Read more here.
It would be 'unwise' to call off protest, says campaigner
Saturday 4 October 2025 09:42 , Shaun WilsonA member of the group behind a pro-Palestine protest in London on Saturday said it would be “unwise” to heed calls to cancel it.
Human rights campaigner Sir Jonathon Porritt told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I have no doubt whatsoever that everyone taking part in the Defend Our Juries’s silent vigil today will demonstrate huge respect and real grief for those affected by the absolute atrocity at Heaton Park.
“But I don’t think that means that we should be asked to give up on our right to stand up for those who are being devastated by an ongoing, real-time genocide in Gaza.”
Asked about calls from politicians to delay the protest, he said: “I think that would be an unwise move for Defend Our Juries. We’ve been persistent in trying to bring these concerns to the attention of the Government.”
There would be “nothing disrespectful” about the “silent vigil”, whose attendees would have the “deepest concern about growing levels of antisemitism” in the UK, Sir Jonathon said.
Brave man 'stopped loads of deaths' in Manchester synagogue attack
Saturday 4 October 2025 09:40 , Shaun WilsonA brave father who “stopped loads of deaths” at a Manchester synagogue during this week's terror attack was accidentally shot by police, his son said. Read more here
Pro-Palestine march 'disgraceful' says Tory shadow home secretary
Saturday 4 October 2025 09:16 , Shaun Wilson
It is “disgraceful” that Pro-Palestine marches are set to go ahead in the wake of the deadly Manchester synagogue attack, Tory shadow home secretary Chris Philp has said.
“I don’t think these protests should go ahead at all,” he told BBC Breakfast.
“I think it’s extremely insensitive, grossly insensitive to the Jewish community in Manchester, but across the whole United Kingdom, who are still grieving following the appalling murder that we saw on Thursday morning.
“And secondly, both the police in Greater Manchester, but also the Metropolitan Police in London have said that the resources, the police resources required to police these protests mean they may not be able to properly protect synagogues and the Jewish community at this obviously very sensitive time.
“So for those two reasons, I think the organisers should call off these protests.
“I think it’s frankly disgraceful that they have not done so.”
Protest is 'phenomenally tone deaf' says Jewish charity boss
Saturday 4 October 2025 09:14 , Shaun WilsonIt is “phenomenally tone deaf” for pro-Palestine protests to go ahead in the wake of the Manchester synagogue attack, a leader of the Community Security Trust said.
Dave Rich, director of policy at the charity which provides security to the Jewish community, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I think it’s phenomenally tone deaf, to say the least, for so many people who claim to care about human rights and care about freedoms, to be taking police resources away from protecting the rights and freedoms of Jewish people to live their lives and go to synagogue in safety, all to support a proscribed terrorist organisation, which is not the same thing as supporting the Palestinians. The two are not the same.
“And I think it’s remarkably self absorbed and insensitive to say the least.”
Why have there been calls for the protests to be cancelled?
Saturday 4 October 2025 08:10 , Matt WattsSir Keir Starmer, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and police bosses called for organisers to cancel the protests in the aftermath of two people being killed in a terror attack at a synagogue.
The Prime Minister had urged groups behind the demonstrations and attendees to "respect the grief of British Jews" as he said demonstrations could cause further pain to mourners.
Israel's foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar said he had spoken to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and urged the Government to "fight the pro-Palestinian marches and protests".
The leaders of the Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police had said covering protests would stretch resources.
Police forces have deployed extra officers to synagogues and other Jewish buildings to offer protection and reassurance in the aftermath of the attack.
However Defend Our Juries rejected the calls.
A spokesman said the group "stood in solidarity" with the Jewish community over the attack.
He said: "It couldn't be clearer that tomorrow's action, which is in Trafalgar Square and not near any synagogue, is about defying the Government's absurdly authoritarian proscription of Palestine Action and the Government's complicity in the genocide being committed by the Israeli government.
"Thursday's attack was actual terrorism and we join others across the country in condemning it unreservedly and we urge the Home Secretary and the police to prioritise protecting the community, instead of arresting entirely peaceful protesters.
"Cancelling peaceful protests lets terror win.
"It's more important than ever to defend our democracy, including our fundamental rights to peaceful protest and freedom of speech, and to take a stand tomorrow against killing and against oppression, and for peace and justice for all."
What time is protest taking place and where is it?
Saturday 4 October 2025 08:05 , Matt WattsThe “lift the ban” protest being organised in support of the proscribed terror organisation Palestine Action is to take place in Traflagar Square and is scheduled to take place at 1pm.
Around 1,500 people, "including priests, vicars, pensioners and healthcare workers", are expected to attend the protest in Trafalgar Square on Saturday.
The proscription of Palestine Action has become a focal point of the campaign for activists in recent months.
The previous two events have seen a total of 1,422 people arrested, the majority for supporting a proscribed organisation.
Pro-Palestine protests in central London have seen thousands attend since Hamas's attack on Israel in October 2023.
A demonstration near Downing Street on Thursday saw 40 people arrested after clashes with police.
Six arrests were "for assaults on police officers", the Metropolitan Police said.
Pro-Palestine marches going ahead in Manchester and London
Saturday 4 October 2025 07:58 , Matt WattsGood morning and welcome to our coverage of the protest in support of Palestine Action taking place in Traflagar Square in London today.
Organiser Defend Our Juries has confirmed the protest wil go ahead despite facing calls to cancel or postpone it in the wake of the Manchester synagogueattack.
Sir Keir Starmer and police bosses called for organisers to reconsider in the aftermath of two people being killed in the terror attack.
The Prime Minister had urged groups behind the demonstrations and attendees to "respect the grief of British Jews" as he said demonstrations could cause further pain to mourners.
The Prime Minister was among politicians, including Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who said the protest should be delayed or cancelled.
The organisers, Defend Our Juries, said: "Cancelling peaceful protests lets terror win."
Meanwhile a similar event held by Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine, which has taken place regularly in the last two years, is also due to happen.
It was referenced by members of the public who heckled Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy when he spoke at a vigil near the attack on Friday.
