‘We are protesters, not terrorists’: 139 arrested at London rally over Palestine Action ban

British police have arrested at least 139 Palestine Action supporters in London and Edinburgh, ahead of a court appeal over the government's controversial ban of the group. The arrests came during a "mass action" protest outside the US Embassy on a lunchtime, according to AFP reporters. Police confirmed that 139 individuals had been detained as of the evening, with more arrests continuing.

In July 2025, over 4,000 people were arrested on suspicion of supporting Palestine Action under anti-terror laws. Many of those arrested, including senior citizens and Holocaust survivors, displayed signs at rallies stating "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action."

The government outlawed Palestine Action under anti-terror laws, making membership or support a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The group, co-founded by Huda Ammori, has challenged the ban in court, arguing it is disproportionate and infringes human rights. The Supreme Court will hear the case from Wednesday after the Court of Appeal ruled in favor of the government in June.

Protest organizers have expressed disbelief at the high number of arrests, stating it is "dystopian" that over 4,000 people have been arrested under terror laws for peaceful vigils. Many arrested individuals, including those over 70, have expressed losing faith in the judicial system and hope for the ban to be lifted.