Yvette Cooper Palestine Action

At least 500 people are expected to openly protest in favour of the proscribed group Palestine Action this Saturday, meaning all eyes will be on the police this weekend.

Listed as a terrorist organisation in July, any association or support with this particular pro-Palestine group could result in arrest and possible imprisonment, so the Metropolitan Police may end up trying to apprehend hundreds at once.

While London’s officers are used to managing protests, the proscription of this group drew intense backlash and raised fears of censorship – so the stakes are significantly higher for the police.

Palestine Action’s (PA) backers insist they will maintain order with their peaceful actions, and intend to protest just by holding up signs which read: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”

But, to make matters more complicated for the police, a separate, pro-Gaza demonstration set to march through Westminster on the same day – movements which have previously attracted hundreds of thousands of protesters.

Demonstrators hold flags as they cross Westminster Bridge during a demonstration in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza, in London, Saturday, May 17, 2025.

PA was proscribed after its activists targeted an Israeli defence company’s UK base and an RAF centre.

They have launched a judicial review to get the proscription lifted, but that’s still going through the courts, so they are still technically a terror group right now.

The campaign group behind the organised demonstration, Defend Our Juries, said they have no intention to try and overwhelm the police system.

“If we are allowed to protest peacefully and freely, then that is no bother to anyone,” they said in their briefing documents.

Just over a month ago, that alone would not have resulted in an arrest. But now, showing support for a terrorist group can land you behind bars for up to 14 years.

The home secretary Yvette Cooper has faced intense criticism for choosing to proscribe PA, even from fellow Labour MPs like Clive Lewis, who

© HuffPost