Hundreds arrested during Palestine Action protest

Hundreds of people were arrested in London yesterday for protesting against the terror ban on the group Palestine Action. The Metropolitan Police confirmed more than 466 people were held.

- HOLLY BANCROFT HOME AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT

Demonstrators gathered in Parliament Square in Westminster yesterday to silently hold up signs, which read: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”

Within minutes of the protest starting at 1pm, rows of police officers filed into the square and started handcuffing protesters.

With limited space in police cells, many of the activists were not taken into custody but released after their arrest and allowed to go home, with bail conditions not to attend any further protests in support of Palestine Action. By 3.40pm, police had made 200 arrests “with more to follow”.

The Metropolitan Police brought in scores of officers from other forces to help with a busy weekend of protests. Around 15,000 people were estimated to have taken part in a separate Palestine solidarity march through London to highlight the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.