Clashes as 150 arrests made at protest for Palestine Action in London

Clashes at a protest for Palestine Action in London have led to around 150 arrests, the Metropolitan Police say.

The Met Police said some protesters had been physically and verbally abusive in a "coordinated effort to prevent officers carrying out their duties", adding that a number of the arrests were made for assault.

Police have been seen drawing their batons while demonstrators take action in Westminster in support of the proscribed terror organisation.

One man was seen with blood streaming down his face behind a barrier after being arrested, while the crowd has been heard chanting "shame on you" and "you're supporting genocide".

Tense scenes on the western side of the park saw several protesters fall over in a crush while water was thrown at officers.

The Met Police announced the first arrests of the day on X just 12 minutes after the protest's official start time in Parliament Square.

In a further update on X, the Met Police said the pro-Palestinian protesters had marched past counter-protesters, and that officers were in place to keep the two groups separated.

The march reached Whitehall at around 2pm, where speeches are taking place. The police have said the demonstration "must" conclude by 5.30pm.

The Met Police warned before the protest began: "Expressing support for a proscribed organisation is a criminal offence under the Terrorism Act.

"Where our officers see offences, we will make arrests."

The protest's organiser, Defend Our Juries, said it estimated 1,500 had gathered for the rally, where many of them to held signs saying: "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action."

Palestine Action has been banned as a terror group since 5 July after MPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of the move, making it illegal to express support for the group.

More than 530 people were arrested at the last major demonstration against Palestine Action being banned as a terror group. However, the Met Police used "street bail" to avoid having to process them all in custody.

Street bail allows officers to release suspects on bail before they are taken to a police station. The suspect receives a bail notice requiring them to return to a station at a future date instead.

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The organisers encouraged protesters not to accept street bail during today's demonstration, writing in a briefing document before they started: "It will not be practically possible for the police to arrest 1,000 non-compliant people on the same day, and that is the strategic rationale behind non-compliance. It increases pressure on the state."

In a reference to the advice in the briefing document, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson told Sky News the move would be "misguided".

The ban on the group came shortly after two Voyager aircraft suffered around £7m worth of damage at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on 20 June.

It faces a legal challenge in November after the High Court granted a full judicial review to Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori.

(c) Sky News 2025: Clashes as 150 arrests made at protest for Palestine Action in London