London Police Arrest 48 Protesters Outside U.S. Embassy

London police arrested 48 people on Saturday during a protest outside the U.S. Embassy.

The Metropolitan Police stated that the majority of detainees were taken into custody for expressing support for a proscribed organization. More than 100 people attended the demonstration. Many participants held signs that read, "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action." Officers remained at the scene to continue making arrests after the initial wave of detentions.

Witnesses reported that some protesters applauded and chanted "free, free Palestine" as individuals were loaded into police vans. The U.K. government classified the direct-action group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization last year. Under the current ban, membership in or support for the group is a crime. The law allows for a prison sentence of up to 14 years for those found guilty.

A separate vigil took place outside the U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh, Scotland. Demonstrators there held placards similar to those seen in London. Police Scotland reported no arrests in Edinburgh but said they were continuing inquiries to identify people seen wearing T-shirts and holding banners in support of the group. A police statement noted that evidence is being reviewed and further action will be taken as appropriate.

The protests occurred ahead of a scheduled appeal at the Supreme Court on Nov. 4. The group is challenging its designation as a terror organization. Supporters argue that the ban is draconian and violates freedom of speech. The U.S. government also designated Palestine Action as a terror group in August.

Palestine Action was founded in 2020. The group states its goal is to stop U.K. military support for Israel. It accuses Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians, an accusation Israel strongly denies. The group aims to disrupt what it calls corporate enablers of the Israeli military-industrial complex.

In 2024, activists broke into a factory owned by Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems UK. They smashed equipment using sledgehammers and crowbars. In June 2025, activists entered a Royal Air Force base. They sprayed red paint into the engines of two tanker planes and caused further damage with crowbars.