Police arrest 425 protesters at pro-Palestine Action rally

Police drew their batons as clashes erupted yesterday during mass arrests at a demonstration against the banning of Palestine Action in London’s Parliament Square.

- AMY-CLARE MARTIN CRIME CORRESPONDENT

One demonstrator was seen with blood streaming down his face after he was held at the rally, where angry protesters told police to “pick a side, justice or genocide”.

Organisers claim up to 1,500 people joined the action to defy the terror ban, describing it as “Labour’s Poll Tax moment”.

The Metropolitan Police said officers faced an “exceptional level of abuse” including punches, kicks, spitting and missiles as tensions boiled over at the protest, where 425 were arrested, including a number for assault.

Protesters were handing out pens and placards ahead of the mass action at 1pm, when they began writing messages of support for the direct-action group, which read: “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.”

The square fell quiet before a mass round of applause rippled through the crowd followed by chants of “free Palestine”.

Arrests began shortly afterwards, with one man seen being wheeled away by police as the crowd chanted “shame on you”.

Tempers flared as some demonstrators remonstrated with police, shouting: “Met Police - pick a side, justice or genocide.”

Officers were seen forcing their way through crowds to haul away protesters. At one point several demonstrators fell over in a crush, while water has been thrown at officers.