Blind man, woman in wheelchair and vicar among 425 arrested at pro Palestine Action protest - violent scenes also followed

A BLIND man and a vicar and a woman in a wheelchair were among more than 425 people arrested today during protests in London in support of newly proscribed terrorist group Palestine Action.

The Met Police confirmed the majority of these arrests were made for supporting a proscribed organisation which is an offence under the Terrorism Act.

The protests, which will continue tomorrow, Sunday September 7 2025, were organised by Defend Our Juries, a non-profit group which says juries should be able to acquit a "defendant according to their conscience, irrespective of a Judge’s directions", in support of Palestine Action.

The protests resulted in some violence, with officers attacked, the Met said.

A spokesperson said: "Throughout the demonstration, there was a coordinated effort to prevent officers from carrying out their duties which escalated to violence where officers were punched, kicked, spat on and had objects thrown at them. More than 25 individuals have been arrested for assaults on police officers and other public order offences. Attacks on officers will not be tolerated and those responsible will be pursued to the full extent of the law."

Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Claire Smart, who led the policing operation said: “Over the course of the afternoon, we deployed more than 2,500 officers to manage protests across the capital. The majority of protests, including the Palestine Coalition march attended by around 20,000 people, passed with very few arrests. This was not the case at the protest organised by Defend Our Juries in support of the proscribed terrorist organisation Palestine Action.

“In carrying out their duties today, our officers have been punched, kicked, spat on and had objects thrown at them by protesters. It is intolerable that those whose job it is to enforce the law and keep people safe – in this case arresting individuals committing offences under the Terrorism Act – should be subject to this level of abuse.

“Our role in the context of protest remains as it always has been – to police without fear or favour, to enforce the law, and to ensure those exercising their right to protest can do so safely. Where a group advertises that they intend to commit crimes, we have a duty to respond accordingly.

“The tactics deployed by supporters of Palestine Action in their attempt to overwhelm the justice system, as well as the level of violence seen in the crowd, required significant resource which took officers out of neighbourhoods to the detriment of the Londoners who rely on them.”

The Met said its operational plans over the course of the afternoon had been "effective", adding "we have ample custody capacity and individuals continue to be processed in the prisoner processing points set up in the Westminster area."

Defend Our Juries posted footage of disabed people and a vicar being arrested.

It posted on X: "A vicar is amongst the final people arrested after several hundreds were detained under the Terrorism Act for holding signs.

"When civil society is prepared to face 'terror' arrests, it couldn't be clearer that the Palestine Action ban is a mistake of poll tax proportions.

"Mike Higgins, (main image) a blind disabled man, was arrested under the Terrorism Act once again for holding a sign which says "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action"

"A wheelchair user arrested under the Terrorism Act for holding a sign which read "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.

"The Palestine Action ban is backfiring on the government. Now Yvette Cooper is no longer Home Secretary, t ban must go with her.

"Eight hours after the protest began and hundreds remain in Parliament Square to oppose the proscription of Palestine Action.

"This will go down as one of the biggest mass acts of civil disobedience in British history."