If you thought a High Court win meant you could wave a Palestine Action sign in central London without ending up in the back of a van, the Metropolitan Police just pulled the rug out from under you. On Wednesday, the force officially scrapped its brief "no-arrest" policy. They’re going back to handcuffs and custody cells for anyone publicly backing the group.
This isn't just a minor tweak in patrol orders. It’s a total reversal of what they promised only a few weeks ago. Back in February, after the High Court called the government’s ban on Palestine Action "unlawful," the Met basically said they’d stop the arrests. They told us they’d just "gather evidence" instead. That lasted about as long as a London summer. Now, Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman says the law "as it is" must be enforced. Since the Home Office is appealing the court's decision, the ban technically stays active. If you show support, you’re likely getting nicked. If you liked this piece, you might want to look at: this related article.
The legal limbo catching protesters out
The whole situation is a mess. You’ve got a High Court ruling saying the group shouldn't be banned, but a "stay" on that ruling while the government fights back. It’s a legal grey area that's turning into a trap for activists.
Over 2,700 people have been arrested since this group was first hit with the terror label last year. To put that in perspective, that’s more arrests than we saw during the height of the actual "war on terror." Most of these people weren't caught with explosives. They were holding pieces of cardboard that said things like "I support Palestine Action." For another perspective on this event, refer to the recent coverage from Al Jazeera.
The Met’s logic is cold and purely procedural. They say they can't wait for the Court of Appeal to make its final call in late April. They have to act on the proscription that exists right now. It feels like a massive step backward for free speech, especially when a senior judge already labeled the ban "disproportionate."
Why the Met changed its mind so fast
The Met claims they needed to give "clear guidance" to their officers. Honestly, it looks more like they’re trying to cover their tracks after some recent blunders.
Take the Al-Quds Day rally on March 15. A woman named Ams was arrested for holding a sign that read, "I still oppose genocide, I still support Palestine Action." At the time, the Met’s public policy was not to arrest. Campaign groups like Defend Our Juries (DOJ) called them out on it. They accused the police of changing the policy retrospectively just to justify that specific arrest.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Harman’s explanation is basically that they were in a rush. When the court ruling came down in February, protesters were already outside the building. The police had to make a snap judgment. They chose to step back then, but now they’re stepping right back in. It’s a classic case of the goalposts moving while the game is still being played.
The human cost of a terror label
Labeling an activist group as "terrorists" isn't just about police powers. It ruins lives. We’re hearing reports from groups like DOJ that at least 16 people have lost their jobs just for being seen at these rallies.
There's also the fallout from those already inside. Several activists recently spoke out about their time in prison, describing a grueling hunger strike. One woman, Heba Muraisi, refused food for 73 days. She claims she wasn't even given basic electrolytes until she’d gone a month without eating. These people are coming out with neurological issues and trauma, all for supporting a group that a High Court judge says shouldn't even be on the proscribed list.
The government, of course, denies any negligence. They say everyone was managed according to "longstanding policy." But when you have hundreds of trials on hold and the police reversing their own rules every fortnight, "policy" starts to feel like a very loose term.
What to expect if you're heading to a protest
If you’re planning on attending the mass vigil on April 11 or any upcoming march, don't rely on the "unlawful" ruling to protect you. The Met has made its stance clear. They aren't waiting for the appeal.
- Assume the ban is active. Until the Court of Appeal gives its verdict—which could take months—the police are treating support for Palestine Action as a criminal offense.
- Placards are enough for an arrest. You don't need to be breaking into a factory or spraying paint. Just expressing support in a public place is currently enough to get you detained under the Terrorism Act.
- The "gather evidence" phase is over. The Met has moved back to "likely to involve the arrest."
The Court of Appeal is set to hear the government’s case on April 28 and 29. That’s the real date to watch. Until then, the streets of London are going to be a very risky place for anyone with a Palestine Action sticker or sign. The police aren't playing the "wait and see" game anymore. They’ve picked their side, and it's the side of the Home Office.
Keep your eye on the April court dates. If the government loses that appeal, the Met will have a lot of explaining to do about these latest arrests. But for now, the handcuffs are back out.
