London police say at least 200 arrested for backing Palestine Action, expects to nab more

By AFP 9 August 2025, 6:19 pm

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A protester is carried away by police officers at a "Lift The Ban" demonstration in support of the proscribed group Palestine Action, calling for the recently imposed ban to be lifted, in Parliament Square, central London, on August 9, 2025. (HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)

LONDON — Police in London arrest at least 200 people for supporting Palestine Action at the latest and largest protest backing the group since the government banned it last month under anti-terror laws.

The UK capital’s Metropolitan Police says it expects to make further arrests at the demonstration in Parliament Square, as organizers claim only a “fraction” of the hundreds who turned out had been detained.

“That claim simply isn’t true,” the Met says in a statement, noting some of those there were onlookers or not visibly supporting Palestine Action.

“We are confident that anyone who came to Parliament Square today to hold a placard expressing support for Palestine Action was either arrested or is in the process of being arrested.”