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In a vibrant display of dissent, more than 200 individuals were apprehended during a significant demonstration in Trafalgar Square on Saturday, following a high court ruling that deemed the government’s ban on Palestine Action to be unlawful. This protest marked the first mass gathering since the court’s decision, showcasing a diverse assembly of citizens united in their call for justice and freedom for Palestine.
A Gathering of Solidarity
The protest attracted hundreds as supporters filled Trafalgar Square, brandishing banners proclaiming messages like “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” The atmosphere was charged with passion, as many participants sat on the ground or in camping chairs, some donning costumes reminiscent of the suffragettes, while others wore masks depicting Labour leader Keir Starmer. Among the demonstrators was Mike Higgins, a visually impaired activist whose previous arrests at protests sparked widespread outrage.
As the event unfolded, large banners were prominently displayed, bearing messages such as “Jurors deserve to hear the whole truth” and “Israel starves kids,” underscoring the demonstration’s focus on human rights and the plight of Palestinians.
Police Response and Arrests
The Metropolitan Police began making arrests shortly after 1pm, targeting individuals at the periphery of the gathering. By 4.50pm, the force reported 212 arrests, with detainees’ ages ranging from 27 to 82. Officers were seen escorting individuals away from the protest, including an elderly woman reliant on walking sticks. One demonstrator, as she was taken away, challenged the officers, saying, “You could be on your way catching real criminals.”
Defend Our Juries, the group that organised the demonstration, condemned the police actions, asserting that the arrests were a blatant disregard for the high court’s ruling. They highlighted that leading legal experts had warned that such actions could be deemed unlawful.
Former Palestine Action prisoner Qesser Zuhrah, who had
