London police arrest 139 people outside embassy over banned group

London police arrested 139 people during a demonstration outside the U.S. Embassy on October 31, 2026. The Metropolitan Police stated that the majority of those taken into custody expressed support for Palestine Action, which is a proscribed organisation. Officers remained at the scene, and police stated that more arrests are expected. Many of the demonstrators were retirees who held signs reading, "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action." One protester climbed a tree outside the embassy and waved a placard that read, "God help us. Teachers who support Palestine. Palestine Action." Defend Our Juries, the activist organisation that planned the demonstration, stated that over 4,000 people have been detained since July 2025 for defying the ban. The group called the arrests dystopian and said they targeted peaceful vigils. The U.K. government outlawed Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation last year. This ban makes support for the group a crime that carries a punishment of up to 14 years in prison. Demonstrators also held a vigil outside the U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh, Scotland, with similar placards. Police Scotland reported no arrests there, but stated that inquiries to identify people wearing T-shirts and holding banners supporting a proscribed organisation are ongoing. These protests took place ahead of a Supreme Court appeal scheduled for November 4 against the designation of Palestine Action as a terror group. Supporters argue that the ban is draconian and violates freedom of speech. In August, the U.S. government also designated Palestine Action as a terror group and announced sanctions against it. Founded in 2020, Palestine Action aims to stop U.K. military support for Israel, accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians, a claim that Israel strongly denies. The group targets corporate enablers of the military-industrial complex and has previously carried out actions such as breaking into an Elbit Systems U.K. factory in 2024 and damaging Royal Air Force tanker planes in June 2025.

Context

Protests and legal battles over government bans on activist groups often highlight the ongoing tensions between public safety laws and freedom of expression. When authorities classify direct-action organisations under counter-terrorism frameworks, peaceful demonstrations and silent vigils can quickly result in mass arrests. This case shows how local police enforcement intersects with international policy and high-stakes court appeals.