Police have made arrests in central London after a “significant number of people” turned out for a Palestine Action demonstration – despite the group being banned.
Organisers Defend Our Juries said up to 700 people were at the event in Parliament Square, with police preparing for the “largest mass arrest in their history”.
The Metropolitan Police tweeted a picture of crowds early on Saturday afternoon with the caption: “This is the scene in Parliament Square.
“Within this crowd a significant number of people are displaying placards expressing support for Palestine Action, which is a proscribed group. Officers have moved in and are making arrests.”
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What does proscribing a group mean?
Legislation to proscribe Palestine Action came into force on 5 July, making it a criminal offence to show support for the organisation, carrying a sentence of up to 14 years in prison.
Defend Our Juries announced the protest would go ahead earlier this week despite the ban, following several other similar demonstrations since the proscription last month.
Three people have now been charged as a result of illegal Palestine Action group activity and will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on 16 September.
Another march organised by the Palestine Coalition, which is a separate group, set off from Russell Square and is heading towards The Strand.
The Met Police said one person had been arrested there for showing a placard in support of the other group.
Crowds had assembled in Parliament Square by 1pm, with people seen writing “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action” on placards.
Many remained silent while others sang pro-Palestine chants.
A Home Office spokesperson said in a previous statement: “The Home Secretary has been clear that the proscription of Palestine Action is not about Palestine, nor does it affect the freedom to protest on Palestinian rights.
“It only applies to the specific and narrow organisation whose activities do not reflect or represent the thousands of people across the country who continue to exercise their fundamental rights to protest on different issues.”
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