Dozens Detained at London US Embassy Over Banned Group Support

WHO:

ABC News World - London police reported arrests at a protest supporting Palestine Action, which is proscribed in the United Kingdom.

CBS News - The Metropolitan Police said 48 people had been arrested earlier in the day; most arrests were for expressing support for a proscribed organization.

Al Jazeera - The Metropolitan Police later reported 139 arrests. Labour MP John McDonnell said protesting the proscription could not “automatically” be interpreted as support for the group or an arrestable offense.

Al Jazeera - Defend Our Juries organized the protests. The group said the arrests brought the total detained for defying the ban to more than 4,000 since July 2025.

Al Jazeera - Felix Jakens, Amnesty International UK’s head of communications and campaigns, called for the government to reverse the proscription.

WHAT:

CBS News - More than 100 people protested outside the U.S. Embassy in London; protesters held signs reading, “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.”

Al Jazeera - Hundreds gathered outside the embassy against the ban. Demonstrators in London and Edinburgh displayed placards reading, “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action”.

CBS News - Protesters applauded and chanted “free, free Palestine” as people were taken to police vans.

CBS News - No arrests were reported at the Edinburgh protest, but Police Scotland said it was investigating people seen wearing T-shirts and holding banners supporting a proscribed organization.

Al Jazeera - The ban added Palestine Action to the UK’s list of banned organizations, which includes al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS).

CBS News - Palestine Action was founded in 2020 and says it seeks to stop UK military support for Israel by disrupting “corporate enablers of the Israeli military-industrial complex.”

CBS News - In 2024, the group’s activists broke into an Elbit Systems UK factory and damaged equipment with sledgehammers and crowbars. In June 2025, activists entered a Royal Air Force base, sprayed red paint into two tanker-plane engines and caused other damage with crowbars.

WHERE:

ABC News World - The arrests occurred outside the U.S. Embassy in London.

CBS News - A separate vigil was held outside the U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh, Scotland.

WHEN:

Al Jazeera - The Supreme Court appeal challenging Palestine Action’s proscription is scheduled for Wednesday.

WHY:

CBS News - The UK government outlawed Palestine Action as a terrorist organization; membership in or support for the group is punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Al Jazeera - Supporters argue the ban is draconian and violates freedom of speech; critics say it contributes to a wider crackdown on pro-Palestinian voices.

Al Jazeera - McDonnell said he believed the government made the wrong decision in proscribing the group. Amnesty International UK’s Felix Jakens called the arrests a “disgraceful attack on freedom of speech.”

HOW:

CBS News - Police said officers remained at the London scene and continued making arrests.

CBS News - Police Scotland said evidence was being reviewed and further action would be taken as appropriate.

CBS News - The U.S. government announced sanctions against Palestine Action and designated it a terror group.

(UPDATED October 31, 2026 21:59 UTC)

London police arrested 139 people protesting the UK’s ban on Palestine Action outside the U.S. Embassy. Supporters say the proscription stifles free speech; police say backing the banned group can bring prosecution. A Supreme Court appeal challenging the ban is scheduled for Wednesday.