London police detain 139 demonstrators outside U.S. Embassy in support of banned Palestine Action group

London police arrested 139 demonstrators outside the U.S. Embassy on Saturday, 31 October 2026, after a large gathering protested the British government's ban on the Palestine Action group. The demonstration, arranged by the Defend Our Juries campaign, included retirees, Holocaust survivors and other older adults who carried signs stating that they opposed genocide and backed Palestine Action. A handful of participants climbed a tree near the embassy and waved additional slogans, while others chanted “free, free Palestine” as officers escorted people to police vans.

According to Metropolitan Police, most of the individuals arrested had shown support for the banned organisation, which the UK government designated as a terrorist group in July 2025. Officers remained on the scene throughout the afternoon and continued to make arrests, according to statements released by the force. Similar vigils were held outside the U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh, where police are reviewing footage of individuals wearing T‑shirts and banners supporting the banned group, though no arrests were reported there.

Background

Palestine Action, founded in 2020, campaigns against UK military assistance to Israel, which it alleges contributes to genocide against Palestinians. In August 2025 the United States designated the group as a terror organisation and imposed sanctions. The UK followed a year later, outlawing the group under anti‑terror legislation in July 2025. Membership or public support for the organisation now carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.

Since the ban was introduced, campaigners claim more than 4,000 people have been detained on suspicion of supporting Palestine Action. In July 2026, hearings for over 2,000 of those cases were postponed, prompting further criticism from protest organisers. Defend Our Juries described the cumulative arrests as “truly dystopian” and warned that peaceful vigils were being criminalised under terror laws.

The London demonstration took place just days before a scheduled appeal at the UK Supreme Court on 4 November 2026, where the ban on Palestine Action will be reviewed. Supporters argue that the prohibition infringes on freedom of speech, while the government maintains that the group’s tactics constitute a security threat.

Why it matters

The arrests highlight the tension between national security policies and civil liberties in the United Kingdom. Individuals detained face potential charges that could lead to lengthy prison terms, underscoring the seriousness with which the state is enforcing the ban. The protests also draw attention to broader public opposition to the ban, as evidenced by the presence of senior citizens and Holocaust survivors among the demonstrators.

The Supreme Court appeal will determine whether the proscription of Palestine Action stands, a decision that could affect thousands of pending cases and set a precedent for how protest groups are treated under UK anti‑terror legislation. The outcome may also influence the UK’s diplomatic relationship with the United States, which has already sanctioned the group.

What happens next

Police have indicated that arrests will continue as officers remain on site, suggesting that further detentions could occur later on the same day. In Edinburgh, Police Scotland said investigations are ongoing to identify individuals seen supporting the banned group, with the possibility of additional actions.

The Supreme Court hearing scheduled for 4 November 2026 will address the legality of the ban. Both the government and civil‑rights advocates are expected to present arguments, and the court’s ruling will determine whether the current anti‑terror designation remains in force. Pending the decision, the Metropolitan Police and other law‑enforcement agencies are likely to maintain heightened surveillance of public gatherings that reference Palestine Action.

The protests and subsequent arrests have already sparked criticism from human‑rights groups and political parties, with the UK Greens reportedly losing nearly 20,000 members amid an internal anti‑Zionism dispute, according to reports from the Times of Israel. The broader public debate continues to focus on the balance between security measures and the right to peaceful protest.