On September 6, police in London arrested 857 people for peacefully opposing the ban on Palestine Action. More than 700 others had already been arrested in London and across the UK on previous weekends for similar actions.
So far, 114 individuals have been charged under counter-terrorism laws. Authorities have also warned that more charges may follow.
Earlier, on September 2, police carried out dawn raids and arrested seven spokespeople from Defend Our Juries. They now face prison sentences of up to nine years for helping to organise peaceful protests.
Amnesty International is calling on UK authorities to immediately drop these charges. We also urge them to stop targeting people who are simply exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
Here’s what you can do:
Write to the Directors of Public Prosecutions for England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Lord Advocate, urging them to:
- Uphold the UK’s human rights commitments.
- Drop all charges and stop prosecutions against people who took part in peaceful protests in support of Palestine Action.
Write to:
Director of Public Prosecutions of England and Wales, Steven Parkinson
Email: enquiries@cps.gov.uk
Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland, Stephen Herron
Email: info@ppsni.gov.uk
The Lord Advocate, Rt Hon Dorothy Bain KC
Email: LordAdvocate@gov.scot
And copy:
His Excellency Robert John Tinline
High Commissioner
British High Commission140 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON K1N 5A2
Tel: (613) 237-1530 Fax: (613) 232-0738
Email: ukincanada@fco.gov.uk
Mass arrests of peaceful protesters
Since the ban on Palestine Action came into effect on July 5, more than 1,500 people have been arrested across the UK for peaceful protests against the proscription. Many of these arrests followed demonstrations organised by Defend Our Juries (DOJ), a grassroots group.
As of September 8, around 114 people have been formally charged with terrorism-related offences under sections 12 or 13 of the UK’s Terrorism Act 2000. At the time of writing, three are due to appear in court on September 16.
Targeting Defend Our Juries
On September 2, police carried out dawn raids and arrested seven DOJ spokespeople under section 12 of the Terrorism Act. The arrests came just before a planned press conference announcing a mass action on September 6.
All seven have since been charged (six in England and one in Scotland) for organising and speaking on Zoom calls to brief activists. The six in England appeared in court on September 4, where prosecutors indicated they could face six to nine years in prison if convicted. They were released under strict bail conditions.
Despite this, DOJ’s September 6 protest went ahead, and 857 peaceful protesters were arrested. Police claimed there was coordinated violence, but Amnesty International observers reported the opposite, documenting police aggression, including protesters being shoved and struck with batons.
Human rights concerns
Under international human rights law, restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly must be lawful, necessary, and proportionate. Criminalising speech is only justified if it incites violence, hatred, or discrimination. Simply expressing support for Palestine Action does not meet this threshold.
DOJ has stated it does not promote or endorse violence. Those arrested include people of different ages and backgrounds, many of them older adults. Their actions reflect peaceful outrage at Israel’s ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, views that are legally protected. Numerous human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have documented Israel’s continuing atrocities in Gaza.
Unjust use of terrorism laws
Prosecutions under terrorism legislation carry serious consequences, even without convictions. They can lead to surveillance, restrictive bail conditions, reputational harm, and long-term impacts on mental health, employment, and education. Convictions bring lifelong stigma, immigration barriers, and further social and professional harm.
Labeling peaceful protesters as “terrorists” creates a chilling effect, discouraging people from exercising their rights. Arresting individuals simply for carrying placards with messages such as “I Oppose Genocide. I Support Palestine Action” is a direct violation of international obligations.
The legal foundation for these prosecutions is also uncertain. The High Court has allowed Palestine Action to seek judicial review of its proscription, suggesting the ban may itself be unlawful. In this context, continuing to arrest protesters is disproportionate, unjustified, and incompatible with the UK’s human rights obligations.
Please take action as soon as possible until November 30, 2025. The UA will be duly updated should there be the need for further action.
