Police in London arrested demonstrators on Saturday who were showing support for the activist group Palestine Action, which was banned under anti-terror laws on Friday.
“Officers are responding to a protest in support of Palestine Action in Parliament Square. The group is now proscribed, and expressing support for them is a criminal offence. Arrests are being made,” the Metropolitan Police wrote on X.
The campaign group Defend Our Juries said in a statement that 27 people—including a priest and several healthcare professionals—were arrested under offences related to the Terrorism Act.
The demonstrators had been holding cardboard signs reading, “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action,” the campaign group added.
Police had warned on Friday that any expression of support for Palestine Action would be a criminal offence once the ban came into effect at midnight.
“This includes chanting, wearing clothing, or displaying articles such as flags, signs, or logos,” the force said.
A spokesperson for Defend Our Juries sarcastically praised the Counter Terrorism police for their “decisive action in protecting the people of London from some cardboard signs opposing the genocide in Gaza and expressing support for those taking action to prevent it.”
The ban was approved by Parliament on Thursday, with a court challenge to halt its enactment failing on Friday.
The government announced the ban on Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act 2000 last week, following an incident where activists from the group broke into an air force base in southern England.
Two aircraft at the base were sprayed with red paint, causing an estimated £7 million ($9.55 million) worth of damage.
Four Palestine Action activists were remanded in custody on Thursday after appearing in court over the incident.
Palestine Action has condemned the ban as an attack on free speech. The proscription makes it a criminal offence to belong to or support the group, punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
