London: The Metropolitan Police on Sunday condemned what it described as “intolerable” abuse faced by officers during a protest in the capital, where more than 425 people were arrested over the banning of Palestine Action as a terrorist group.
Hundreds gathered at Parliament Square on Saturday to oppose the UK government’s proscription of the group, carrying placards such as “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action” amid ongoing anger over the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Police said most arrests were for supporting a proscribed organisation, while others were linked to assaults on officers and public order offences.
“In carrying out their duties, our officers have been punched, kicked, spat on and had objects thrown at them by protesters,” said Deputy Assistant Commissioner Claire Smart, who led the operation. “It is intolerable that those tasked with enforcing the law and keeping people safe should face such abuse.”
She added that the tactics of Palestine Action supporters were aimed at overwhelming the justice system and required “significant resources,” diverting officers from local communities.
The Met confirmed it had deployed more than 2,500 officers across London to police protests, most of which — including a Palestine Coalition march of about 20,000 people — passed with few arrests.
However, it said a demonstration organised by Defend Our Juries in support of Palestine Action turned violent. “There was a coordinated effort to prevent officers from carrying out their duties, which escalated to violence,” the Met said. More than 25 individuals were arrested for assaults on police and public order offences.
Palestine Action was banned in July by then home secretary Yvette Cooper under the Terrorism Act, making membership or support punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Defend Our Juries rejected the police account, insisting its rally had been “the picture of peaceful protest” and calling the Met’s statement “astonishing.” It urged new Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood — appointed this week after Cooper moved to the Foreign Office — to overturn the ban.
In Edinburgh, Police Scotland reported two arrests at a separate pro-Palestine Action demonstration.
