London police arrested hundreds of protesters for supporting a banned pro-Palestinian group at a demonstration on Saturday, which went ahead despite requests to call it off after a deadly attack at a synagogue in Manchester.

Organisers refused requests by the police and government to call off Saturday’s demonstration, which had been announced before the attack, to protest against the banning of the pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action under anti-terrorism laws.

STARMER CALLS FOR CALM

Calling for calm on X on Saturday morning, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “I urge anyone thinking about protesting this weekend to recognise and respect the grief of British Jews.”

“This is a moment of mourning. It is not a time to stoke tension and cause further pain. It is a time to stand together,” he said.

Police arrested protesters in Trafalgar Square in central London as they wrote slogans on placards declaring support for Palestine Action, which was proscribed in July after members broke into an airbase and damaged military planes.

As of 1730 GMT, police said 442 people had been arrested – around half the number arrested at a similar protest in September.

Crowds of more than 1,000 applauded and cheered those arrested as they were carried through the crowd by police without resisting. Onlookers chanted “shame on you” at officers.

“I’m disgusted by the police, actually, they shouldn’t be arresting non-violent protesters here,” said protester Angie Zelter.

“We have a right to protest and Palestine Action is not a violent organisation; it should never have been proscribed in the first place.”

Six people were arrested separately after unfurling a Palestine Action banner on Westminster Bridge outside parliament.

SERIES OF PROTESTS

The demonstration is the latest in a series of protests, during which hundreds have been arrested for defying the ban, which makes it an offence to show support for Palestine Action.

Police said Saturday’s protests would draw resources away from security they have tightened around synagogues and mosques following Thursday’s attack.

Defend Our Juries, which organised Saturday’s protest, has condemned the attack on the Jewish community in Manchester, and urged police to focus on that, not policing the demonstration.