First organised mass protest against the proscription of Palestine Action in Parliament Square, August 9 2025 - Photo: Novara

On August 9, another historic and decisive point in the organised mass resistance movement against Britain's support for and complicity in Israeli genocide in Palestine took place in London. This was the thirtieth national march in Britain, with 300,000 marching from Russell Square to Downing Street, demonstrating that people in Britain are standing with Palestine in defiance of the state authorities. The march took place alongside the first organised mass protest against the proscription of Palestine Action. At 1pm, more than 500 people sat down in Parliament Square condemning the support of the government for genocide and the government's banning of activist group Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act 2000. During this action hundreds were arrested and forcibly removed for simply protesting with their placards. This action mirrors many other protests throughout England, Scotland and Wales and was planned to bring the resistance against the British state to a new level.

Doctors were among the first to be arrested by the British state in Parliament Square, August 9

A total of 474 people were arrested by the Metropolitan Police, 466 under terrorism legislation for the "crime" of expressing support for Palestine Action; the police themselves cited as a reason for arrest the carrying of placards declaring, "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action." Of those arrested, 365 were specifically charged with supporting a proscribed organisation. Among those arrested were pensioners, disabled individuals, clergy, and former Guantanamo detainee Moazzam Begg. All were later released on bail, with conditions barring them from attending similar protests. Smaller protests have been happening every week, but this was the biggest protest against the banning since the government proscribed Palestine Action in July under the Terrorism Act of 2000, making membership of Palestine Action, or support for it, a criminal offence, punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

The arrests were made under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act, which criminalises public support for proscribed groups. After a fierce legal fight by representatives of Palestine Action, a High Court judge granted Palestine Action permission to challenge its proscription, agreeing that it may violate Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights, articles dealing with free speech and assembly. A full judicial review of the proscription is scheduled for November, though the judge refused to suspend the proscription until the appeal. It is reported that if the court finds the ban unlawful, charges against protesters may be dropped retroactively.

August 9 London demonstration

Previously the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) had condemned the decision by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. PSC said: "The Palestine Solidarity Campaign utterly condemns the grotesque decision to proscribe Palestine Action as terrorists, which threatens all of our freedoms and democratic rights. The government has chosen to redefine the meaning of terrorism in a way that serves to criminalise dissent."

The protest in Parliament Square was organised by Defend Our Juries, aiming to challenge the government's decision, which had been imposed by the Executive in manipulating parliamentary process. The demonstration of hundreds of thousands also coincided with the anniversary of the Nagasaki bombing, invoking themes of state violence and moral resistance. Saeed Taji Farouki from Defend Our Juries, speaking after the action, said that this was one of the most impressive protests he had seen, "with the level of commitment and passion and level of dedication and the willingness to be arrested" and "sacrifice their freedom in order to stand up to genocide". He said that this "proved that the state was willing to arrest anyone for holding a sign and if you weren't arrested it also proved that this law is unenforceable". He said that another mass event is scheduled for September, prior to the Judicial Review in November.

August 9 London demonstration

Before 1pm, as people made their way into Parliament Square, they sat down and started to craft their own placards opposing the genocide and opposing the proscription of Palestine Action. Originally planned as a protest involving at least 500 people, up to double that number took part in the protest. As the protesters sat down at 1pm and before many had written their sign on the placard the police started arresting them. These were followed with chants of "Shame on You" and "This is not a crime! We are on the right side of history!" It was also reported that two of the first people arrested were doctors and that this action was targeting doctors in order to criminalise them. Parallels with the Israeli genocidal regime were drawn, pointing out that the first thing Israeli Zionism had done in their genocide was to target the hospitals and doctors. Many people remained seated in Parliament Square after 2pm when the protest was due to end. One protester asked why he was staying said, " I will stay for as long as it takes. If it takes an hour or two we will be here! To have a maximum impact we need to have as many people as possible still willing to be arrested." Another asked about what he had put on his placard and whether he was worried said, "Not at all.
August 13 London NUJ protest condemning
the killing of five Palestinian journalists by IsraelWe are right about what we are doing and why we are here. This is madness! The Terrorism Act of 2000 is meaningless now." Another said that "what we have proven is that the Act is unenforceable". Even people interviewed who had never done such a thing before and who said that they were frightened by the police, nevertheless stood their ground. The average age was reported to be 70, but at the same time many young people were participating, with everyone united and supporting each other.

Many were of the opinion that this August 9 protest could well prove to be a pivotal moment in Britain's ongoing debate over civil liberties, state power, and the boundaries of lawful resistance. Speaking at the protest, one supporter of the action said that "this is a real pivotal point in history", and that "this protest is a question of how humanity is going to stand up for itself; and it is going to stand up for humanity and with Palestine". He said that it is not just about Palestine Action "but how the Zionist lobby is having a huge effect on the British people and the British law and legal system".

The proscription of Palestine Action, based on property damage and disruption, not violence, has itself exposed the extent to which the state is prepared to go to attempt to impose its narrative of "opposition to extremism" in the context of the restructuring of the state, and the clash between those in authority and the overwhelming sentiment of the people to say, "We Stand with Palestine". Dissent is being criminalised in the process. The protest and its aftermath have contributed to exposing a deep crisis in governance, including in the legal infrastructure, and bring into question the legitimacy of the Westminster system of government itself, with its emphasis on political policing and police powers. But it also shows that the people are even more determined to stand with Palestine and to demand an end to genocide.

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Thousands surround RAF High Wycombe in a Red Ring, Saturday, August 16 - Photo: Press TV

RAF High Wycombe , Saturday August 16 - Photos: X

London demonstration, August 9

Delegates from over 25 countries convened in London on July 26 for the inaugural conference of the Global Alliance for Palestine (GAFP). This initiative seeks to transform rising global solidarity for Palestine into co-ordinated political action.

The gathering brought together grass-roots activists, trade unionists, students, parliamentarians, community leaders and academics from across the world - including many from outside the Arab and Muslim worlds. Jeremy Corbyn MP is Chair of the Steering Committee.

The conference was launched with a call to action from Dr Mustafa Barghouti, a leading Palestinian political figure and a member of the GAFP Steering Committee.

"The brutality unfolding in Gaza demands an unequivocal response from the international community," Barghouti said. "The Global Alliance for Palestine represents a crucial step towards unifying our efforts and ensuring that the calls for justice and an end to the occupation resonate globally."

The conference featured three focused sessions: the first assessed the global state of Palestine solidarity and the challenges it faces; the second explored strategies for converting public mobilisation into policy impact; and the third addressed the organisational framework of the Alliance, including plans for interim leadership and future co-ordination. The day concluded with the adoption of a joint communiqué and a call for participation in the Global Day of Action for Gaza on September 6, to be marked across all time zones.

(MEMO)