More than 400 arrested in London as pro-Palestine protest goes ahead despite pleas

More than 400 people have been arrested over protests supporting the proscribed group Palestine Action, as demonstrators defied calls to reconsider in the wake of the Manchester synagogue terror attack.

Two days after the attack in Crumpsall, crowds of people gathered in central London on Saturday to call on the government to reverse the ban on the proscribed group. Organisers of the protest, Defend Our Juries, said 1,000 people attended the event to "oppose genocide and the Palestine Action ban".

Before the demonstration even began, six people were arrested for unfurling banners which read "I oppose genocide" and "I support Palestine Action" on Westminster Bridge. The bulk of the arrests were made in Trafalgar Square, where protesters held placards showing their support for Palestine Action - which was added to the UK's list of proscribed terrorist groups in July.

The Metropolitan Police said a different group of protesters also gathered in Whitehall before trying to make their way to Trafalgar Square. Many of those arrested throughout the day were older individuals.

Pictures showed people with walking sticks or in wheelchairs being supported by police, while others were physically carried to a processing pen after failing to cooperate with officers. One protester, 62-year-old Mike Higgins, who is blind and uses a wheelchair, told the PA news agency: "We are going to win this battle, by the way, there's no doubt about that.

The problem for me is that I want to win it now to try and bring an end to the suffering in Palestine." The Metropolitan Police had urged the Defend Our Juries group to postpone the event in light of the synagogue attack. Chief of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Mark Rowley, said he was worried resources would be stretched and the ability of the force to protect communities would be compromised as a result of the protest.

In a statement on X on Saturday morning, Sir Keir Starmer also said anyone thinking of protesting should "recognise and respect the grief of British Jews.