LONDON — Metropolitan Police took 212 demonstrators into custody on Saturday during a rally in support of Palestine Action, an organization that British authorities have classified as a terrorist group.
The detainees ranged in age from 27 to 82 years old, according to police officials who had issued advance warnings that arrests would be made at the demonstration.
In February, Britain’s High Court determined that the government’s classification of Palestine Action as a terrorist organization lacked legal basis, though the prohibition remains active while officials pursue an appeal.
The demonstration in Trafalgar Square was coordinated by Defend Our Juries, drawing hundreds of participants who displayed banners with messages such as “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”
Among those present was Robert Del Naja from the electronic music group Massive Attack, who knowingly risked arrest despite concerns it could affect his international travel privileges.
“I thought this is ridiculous and then the police making that U-turn to arrest people again, I thought that is even more ridiculous,” Del Naja stated. “So I’m going to hold a sign today.”
Demonstrators shouted accusations of “shame on you” toward officers as they escorted arrested individuals away, with particular criticism directed at the detention of elderly participants.
One protester called out sarcastically as police guided an elderly woman with a walking stick toward a police vehicle: “Yeah, she looks like a terrorist, doesn’t she mate?”
