The UK government has urged the public not to attend a planned protest this Saturday in support of the recently proscribed direct action group Palestine Action, warning that demonstrators could face arrest under terrorism laws.
The demonstration, organised by the campaign group “Defend Our Juries”, is expected to draw hundreds of participants to protest the government’s decision to designate Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation.
When asked if the government would discourage people from attending the protest, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson told The Guardian: “Any action that is in support of a proscribed group in the UK, of course we do not support and the court has confirmed their continued proscription status.
“The home secretary previously said that those who seek to support this group may yet not know the true nature of this organisation, but people should be under no illusion this is not a peaceful or non-violent protest group.”
Defend Our Juries, which is independent of Palestine Action, is encouraging demonstrators to hold placards reading “I Oppose Genocide, I Support Palestine Action” — signs that have led to arrests at previous events. The group has confirmed today that the protest will go ahead with more than 500 people committing to holding placards in solidarity with the banned group.
The Metropolitan Police has acknowledged the planned protest but expressed doubt over claims of mass turnout, estimating attendance in the low hundreds.
At similar protests in the past, police have employed a tactic of mass arrests, identity checks, and rapid bail to manage large numbers, an approach employed at Extinction Rebellion and far-right demonstrations.
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However, policing resources are expected to be stretched this weekend with a large pro-Palestine march and separate far-right protests also scheduled in London.
Responding to media claims that the campaign seeks to overwhelm the criminal justice system, a Defend Our Juries spokesperson said: “We are not the ones planning to overwhelm the system. If the Met upholds its obligation to protect the right to protest, then nothing will be overwhelmed.”
They also highlighted a recent High Court ruling that granted permission to Palestine Action’s co-founder, Huda Amori, to legally challenge the ban, suggesting the designation could be overturned in future.
“There are serious legal and financial implications if the ban is deemed unlawful — potentially hundreds of payouts from the Met,” the spokesperson added. “Other police forces have chosen not to arrest people at similar protests in Derry, Edinburgh and elsewhere.”
The group said the protests would continue on a regular basis, and arrests were becoming “a badge of honour” for some activists. While MPs have been approached to join the demonstrations, most have declined over fears of suspension from parliament.
Background to the ban
The Home Office officially banned Palestine Action earlier this month under the Terrorism Act 2000, which means that membership of, or expressions of support for, the group are now criminal offences.
The decision followed an incident in June when activists broke into RAF base Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, sprayed red paint over two Voyager aircraft, and caused an estimated £7 million worth of damage.
Four individuals have been charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to enter a prohibited site. All four remain in custody.
The incident also prompted a nationwide security review across all UK military bases.
Palestine Action has led a series of direct actions targeting arms manufacturers linked to Israeli military operations since Israel’s war on Gaza began in October 2023.
