Palestine Action, USA News (London): The Metropolitan Police has warned that all protesters who attend a demonstration in support of Palestine Action in central London this weekend will be arrested. Defend Our Juries, a campaign group opposing restrictions on civil liberties, called on activists to take mass action outside the US Embassy on Saturday.
According to the group, hundreds of demonstrators plan to gather outside the building in Wandsworth to hold up signs reading, “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.” Ahead of the planned protest, Defend Our Juries stated that destroying tools used to kill children is considered effective resistance rather than terrorism, and argued that the proscription of Palestine Action attacks democratic rights.
In response, the Met Police warned activists they face arrest if they attend the planned demonstration as part of a robust policing operation. Since its proscription in June 2025, expressing support for Palestine Action is a criminal offence under the Terrorism Act.
Police Leadership Comments
Commander Adam Slonecki, leading Saturday’s policing operation, noted that attendees know supporting a proscribed organisation is unlawful and are meeting to purposefully commit a crime. He emphasized that the public expects proactive policing rather than waiting for offences to occur.
Slonecki added that enforcement action will target not only those holding placards, but anyone playing a key role in organising the event, giving instructions, or providing logistical support. He stated that the measure aims to address criminality rather than prevent people from expressing views, while noting that such events divert significant police resources from local communities.
Prior Actions and Legal Context
Ahead of the weekend action, Defend Our Juries issued guidance to demonstrators on signage, placarding, and avoiding police stops en route, including advice to “go floppy” if apprehended and refuse to hand details over to officers.
A previous Defend Our Juries demonstration took place outside the Labour Party Conference on September 27, where over 250 activists attended and police arrested 50 people on suspicion of supporting Palestine Action. In June, the Court of Appeal ruled the government’s proscription of the organisation as a terror group was lawful. Those convicted of being a member of, or supporting, Palestine Action can face up to 14 years in prison.
