Over 50 Arrested at Liverpool Rally Defying Palestine Action Ban

Key points

• Merseyside Police arrested over 50 demonstrators at the 'Defend Our Juries' event in Liverpool.
• Protesters held banners reading 'I support Palestine Action' outside the Labour Party conference.
• Police stated arrests were made under the Terrorism Act for supporting a proscribed organization.
• Amnesty International UK labeled the arrests a 'shameful attack on freedom of speech.'
• The Supreme Court is set to hear an appeal against the ban in November 2026.

Background

Palestine Action was proscribed in July 2025 following incidents of criminal damage, including a 2024 attack on a Barclays branch in Burnley. Since the ban, over 3,600 people have been arrested for showing support, according to Al Jazeera. The Court of Appeal upheld the ban in June 2026, but a Supreme Court review is scheduled for November 4. Previous coverage noted a surge in terrorism-related arrests linked to this proscription.

How outlets are covering it

BBC and Al Jazeera reported the arrests as a significant enforcement action, with police emphasizing public safety and the illegality of supporting a proscribed group. Amnesty International and the Defend Our Juries organizers framed the arrests as an overreach that suppresses democratic protest, arguing the ban is unsustainable. Stereogum highlighted the specific case of Robert Del Naja, noting his previous arrest in April 2026 and his refusal to acknowledge the offense. The Home Office maintains the ban is necessary due to criminal damage and does not affect lawful protest for the Palestinian cause, a stance challenged by critics who view the Terrorism Act application as too broad.

Why it matters

The arrests test the limits of protest rights under the UK Terrorism Act and highlight tensions between security enforcement and civil liberties. With the Supreme Court review pending, the outcome may influence how proscription laws are applied to political activism. The involvement of high-profile figures and the scale of the arrests at a major party conference underscore the political sensitivity of the Palestine Action ban.

What to watch

The UK Supreme Court is expected to hear the appeal against the Palestine Action proscription on November 4, 2026. The Labour Party conference continues in Liverpool until September 30, with potential for further protests. The government will continue to defend the ban in court, while activists may organize additional demonstrations to pressure Prime Minister Andy Burnham to lift the ban.