Burnham faces arrests in first major protest against Palestine Action ban

Defend Our Juries, the group organizing the demonstrations, estimated that around 400 people gathered outside the US embassy in Battersea, south London, on Friday. The event marked the first large-scale protest against the proscription of Palestine Action under Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Demonstrators held signs stating, "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action." A separate vigil was held outside the US consulate in Edinburgh in support of the group.

The Metropolitan police warned attendees that they face arrest as part of a robust policing operation. Commander Adam Slonecki, leading the operation, stated that supporting a proscribed organization is unlawful. He said that anyone playing a key role in organizing the event, giving instructions, or providing logistical support will very likely be committing an offense and face enforcement action.

Sue Morhall, a 79-year-old retiree, sat outside the embassy holding a sign of support for Palestine Action. Morhall said she has been arrested five or six times at previous demonstrations and feels okay about being hauled into a police van again. She believes the principle is what matters most. Morhall expressed hope that Burnham might rescind the proscription, though she noted it might take until after the midterm elections in America.

Rev Bill White, 72, also held a sign reading, "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action." He said he was appalled that Britain is helping facilitate the genocide in Palestine by supplying weapons. White resigned from the Labour party after Palestine Action was designated a terrorist group. As a faith leader, he said there was no choice but to take part in the demonstration because he believed it was the right thing to do.

A spokesperson for Defend Our Juries criticized the Metropolitan police, saying the overzealous response exposes how far UK authorities will go to appease American interests. The group noted that Israel's war crimes could not happen without US approval. The protests occur ahead of an appeal at the Supreme Court against Palestine Action's designation as a terror group, scheduled for November 4.

Last month, more than 160 people were arrested or reported for summons at a similar demonstration outside the Labour party conference in Liverpool. The new government has faced pressure to rescind the ban, though Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood remains in post and has stood firm in favor of the group's proscription.

Journalist Sarah Helm, wife of the prime minister's national security adviser Jonathan Powell, was accused of supporting Palestine Action after posting on X that authors supporting the group need help. Her post responded to news that Irish author Sally Rooney can no longer sell books in the UK due to her support for the group. During the Labour party conference, two activists confronted Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband at a Pizza Express in Liverpool about the arrests. Miliband said he was happy to discuss the issue but at another time.

One woman arrested in London held a sign that replicated Helm's X post, swapping the word authors for retirees. The Metropolitan police ultimately assessed that Helm's post did not meet the criminal threshold.