LONDON, April 11 – Authorities in London detained 212 demonstrators on Saturday during a rally at Trafalgar Square that challenged Britain’s classification of Palestine Action as a terrorist organization.
Saturday’s demonstration represented the first major gathering since London’s High Court determined in February that the government’s prohibition labeling the pro-Palestinian organization as terrorists violated the law. UK Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood has received permission to challenge this court decision.
British officials prohibited Palestine Action last July using anti-terrorism laws following incidents where group members infiltrated a Royal Air Force facility. The organization claims Britain’s government is complicit in what they characterize as Israeli war crimes occurring in Gaza.
Israeli officials have consistently rejected allegations of misconduct during their military operations in Gaza.
Participants in Saturday’s rally displayed signs while wearing traditional black and white Palestinian keffiyehs and carrying Palestinian banners, with many seated on the pavement or in folding chairs.
The Metropolitan Police of London announced on X that officers were “continuing to make arrests where people are showing support for a proscribed organisation.”
