London: Police arrest 466 people supporting banned Palestine Action group

According to reports, hundreds of people had gathered at Parliament Square in London on Saturday to demonstrate against the government's decision.

Several campaigners were seen holding a placard that read: "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”

Sharing details about the arrest, the Metropolitan Police wrote on X, "As of 9pm, 466 people had been arrested for showing support for Palestine Action. "

"There were a further eight arrests for other offences including five assaults on officers," police said.

Defend our Juries, the group that organised the rally, wrote on X, " Largest ever mass arrest by Met Police at one protest."

The group further said: "466 arrests were made. This is reportedly the largest ever mass arrest by Met Police."

What is Palestine Action?

The UK-based Palestine Action is a group which, as per the CNN report, claims it aims to disrupt the operations of weapons manufacturers supplying the Israeli government.

The UK lawmakers voted to proscribe the group last month.

The group’s ban makes it illegal under UK law to be a member of – or invite support for – Palestine Action and puts them on par with terrorist organizations such as Hamas, al Qaeda and ISIS, reported CNN.

Three charged with showing support for Palestine Action

In a separate incident, the Metropolitan Police have charged three people for showing support for Palestine Action.

"Two women and a man, who were arrested in Westminster on 5 July, have been charged under section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000, following authorisation by the Crown Prosecution Service," the police said in a statement earlier.