In a tense atmosphere across the United Kingdom, police, activists, and the courts are grappling with the fallout from a series of high-profile pro-Palestine protests and a sweeping government crackdown on the group Palestine Action. The events, which have unfolded over the past year and reached a crescendo this weekend, reflect both the strength of protest movements and the growing power of counter-terrorism laws in shaping public dissent.
On May 15, 2024, a group of four pro-Palestine activists—Ricky Southall, Serena Fenton, Amareen Afzal, and Francesca Nadin—scaled the roof of Teledyne Defence and Space Ltd in Shipley, West Yorkshire. According to BBC, the group used a telescopic ladder in the early hours, armed with hammers, chisels, and sledgehammers. Southall, in particular, cut a hole in the roof and, wielding a long-handled sledgehammer, caused further damage inside. He also threw firecrackers both inside and outside the building, escalating the risk and chaos.
The protest, which lasted seven hours—from about 4:30 to 11:30 BST—caused nearly £60,000 in criminal damage, required police to cordon off the area, and brought fire crews out with an aerial platform. The disruption was significant enough that a security guard locked himself in a room, fearing for his safety, while other employees experienced distress, as detailed in a victim impact statement read in court.
Earlier this year, a jury found all four guilty of causing criminal damage and possessing articles with intent to cause such damage. Southall was additionally convicted of burglary with intent to commit damage. On September 5, 2025, at Bradford Crown Court, three of the four received suspended jail sentences, while Nadin was given a community order, in recognition of time already spent in custody and under curfew. Judge Christopher Smith acknowledged the activists' "genuinely held but misguided conscientious motivations," warning that any repeat offense would result in immediate jail time. As the activists left the courtroom, they were met with applause and cheers from supporters, a scene that underscored the deep divisions and strong emotions surrounding the Palestinian cause in the UK.
Yet the Shipley protest was only one flashpoint in a much broader campaign—and crackdown. As BBC and Daily Record reported, the UK government proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organization in July 2025, after the group claimed responsibility for damaging two Voyager planes at RAF Brize Norton on June 20, 2024. The ban, enacted under the Terrorism Act 2000, made it a criminal offense not only to be a member of the group but also to express support for it. The move followed a dramatic escalation: activists had previously broken into an RAF base, prompting a nationwide debate about the boundaries of protest and the reach of anti-terror laws.
Since the ban, the authorities have arrested more than 700 people across the UK for alleged support of Palestine Action, according to Daily Record. The Crown Prosecution Service recently announced a further 24 charges, bringing the total number of prosecuted individuals to 138. The legal consequences are severe—membership or support can be punished by up to 14 years in prison. The Home Office, meanwhile, is appealing a High Court ruling that allowed Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori to challenge the ban, a legal battle that could set important precedents for protest rights and anti-terror legislation.
This weekend, tensions reached a new high as hundreds of demonstrators prepared to risk arrest in coordinated protests across London, Belfast, and Edinburgh. According to BBC and Daily Record, organizers from the group Defend Our Juries (DOJ) planned the actions on the condition that at least 1,000 people pledged support, though hundreds more were expected to join. Protesters carried signs declaring, "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action," openly defying the new legal restrictions. Many planned to refuse street bail and employ "floppy" tactics—going limp to force police to physically carry them away, a strategy designed to strain law enforcement resources and draw public attention.
Police responses have been both forceful and carefully calibrated. Scotland Yard’s Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan was unequivocal in a statement quoted by BBC: "Palestine Action is a group that has been proscribed by the UK Government. It is a criminal offence to be a member of it or to express support for it. Those participating in this protest and in previous such protests do so knowing that their actions are unlawful. I can be unequivocal, if you show support for Palestine Action—an offence under the Terrorism Act—you will be arrested. We have the officer numbers, custody capacity and all other resources to process as many people as is required."
In Edinburgh, Police Scotland echoed these warnings, stating that any vocal or visual support for Palestine Action would result in enforcement actions, including arrests. Officers emphasized that while campaigning and demonstration are "legitimate, necessary and vital," any abusive, threatening, or disruptive behavior that poses safety risks is not considered legitimate protest. The force also clarified that wearing clothing or carrying items that indicate support for Palestine Action is an offense, and that enforcement would be proportionate and guided by UK legislation and Crown Office direction.
Despite the crackdown, some political leaders have called for a more nuanced approach. Former First Minister Humza Yousaf argued publicly that peaceful protesters supporting Palestine Action should not face prosecution in Scotland, a plea that was ultimately rejected by the Solicitor General for Scotland on behalf of the Lord Advocate. The debate highlights the difficult balance between upholding public order and protecting free expression, especially as the government broadens the scope of anti-terror laws to encompass forms of protest that, while disruptive, are not violent.
For many activists, the ban on Palestine Action and the subsequent wave of arrests represent an attack on civil liberties. DOJ, which organized the most recent protests, sent a letter to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, noting that police in Edinburgh, Totnes, Derry, and Kendal had reportedly decided not to arrest sign-holders at their respective demonstrations. Meanwhile, six alleged DOJ members or associates appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court to deny terror offenses related to organizing mass gatherings aimed at challenging the Palestine Action ban.
The legal and political battles are far from over. The Home Office’s appeal against the High Court ruling in favor of Huda Ammori’s legal challenge could shape the future of protest rights in the UK. At the same time, the government’s willingness to use the Terrorism Act against protest groups is being closely watched by civil liberties advocates and legal experts alike.
As the dust settles after another weekend of protests, arrests, and courtroom drama, the UK finds itself at a crossroads. The government’s hard line on Palestine Action has drawn both praise and sharp criticism, and the coming months will test whether the country can find a way to balance security, justice, and the fundamental right to dissent.
