Over 50 Arrested in Liverpool as Protesters Defy Palestine Action Ban

Key points

• Merseyside Police arrested over 50 individuals during a protest organized by Defend Our Juries outside the Labour Party conference in Liverpool.
• Protesters, numbering over 250, held banners supporting Palestine Action, which was proscribed as a terrorist organization in July 2025.
• Notable arrests included Massive Attack frontman Robert Del Naja and 94-year-old human rights barrister Margaret Owen.
• Amnesty International UK condemned the arrests as a 'shameful attack on freedom of speech,' urging Prime Minister Andy Burnham to reform the laws.
• The UK Supreme Court is scheduled to review the proscription of Palestine Action, following a Court of Appeal decision in June 2026 that upheld the ban.

Background

The proscription of Palestine Action in July 2025 under the Terrorism Act has sparked widespread civil disobedience, with over 3,600 arrests reported since the ban took effect. The group was banned following incidents of property damage, though the government maintains the ban is unrelated to lawful protest in support of Palestinian causes. The upcoming Supreme Court review adds a legal dimension to the ongoing debate over the group's status.

How outlets are covering it

Al Jazeera and BBC reported on the mass arrests and the involvement of high-profile figures like Robert Del Naja and Margaret Owen, emphasizing the scale of the protest and the police response. Amnesty International UK criticized the arrests as an attack on free speech, while the Home Office defended the proscription as a necessary measure against criminal damage. Stereogum focused on Del Naja's personal stance, highlighting his refusal to recognize the offense and his prior arrests for similar protests. The BBC also noted the government's position that the ban does not affect lawful protest, while the Home Office stressed the evidence-based nature of the decision.

Why it matters

The arrests underscore the deepening conflict between the UK government's counter-terrorism measures and public dissent over the Palestine conflict. The involvement of prominent figures and the criticism from human rights organizations highlight the broader implications for free speech and civil disobedience in the UK. The upcoming Supreme Court review will be crucial in determining the future of the proscription and its impact on similar protests.

What to watch

The UK Supreme Court is set to hear the case regarding the proscription of Palestine Action, which could potentially overturn or uphold the ban. The Labour Party conference, led by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, may see further protests and political pressure to address the issue. The government's stance on the ban and its enforcement will likely remain a focal point of public and political debate.