According to the Metropolitan Police, a total of 175 individuals were apprehended in central London during rallies in support of the outlawed group Palestine Action.

Organizers from Defend Our Juries reported that hundreds participated in demonstrations advocating for Palestine Action, which was banned by the government in July, rendering any support or affiliation with the group unlawful.

The protests proceeded despite pleas from government officials and law enforcement urging that they be postponed following the tragic attack on a synagogue in Manchester on Thursday.

Sir Keir Starmer urged demonstrators to show consideration for the mourning of British Jews, while several Jewish leaders also voiced their disapproval of the protests.

Sir Jonathon Porritt, a member of Defend Our Juries, expressed confidence that “everyone participating in the silent vigil today will convey deep respect and genuine sorrow for those impacted by the horrific incident at Heaton Park.”

Speaking on Radio 4’s Today program, the former advisor to the King, when he held the title of Prince of Wales, stated, “I believe this should not compel us to relinquish our right to advocate for those suffering amid an ongoing, real-time genocide in Gaza.”

He added that the participants would have significant concerns regarding rising antisemitism.

Prior to the demonstrations, the Met Police announced the deployment of 1,500 officers to Trafalgar Square to manage the crowds.

A Saturday afternoon update from the Metropolitan Police indicated that most of the arrests occurred due to gatherings in Trafalgar Square, while six individuals were taken into custody for displaying a banner supporting the banned group on Westminster Bridge earlier in the day.

The police explained that each arrest took time because “many of those detained do not walk out of the square and require carrying.”

They noted that safely managing this process necessitated at least five officers.

On Friday, the Met Police communicated with Defend Our Juries to express concerns about diverting police resources from areas needing “visible reassurance and protective security” for communities.

Nonetheless, the group, which has been at the forefront of protests against the ban on Palestine Action, disregarded these requests and proceeded with the rally.

Just moments before the main event in Trafalgar Square began, Defend Our Juries displayed two banners on the north side of Westminster Bridge reading: “I oppose genocide” and “I support Palestine Action.”

The Metropolitan Police stated that officers swiftly removed these banners and arrested those involved for promoting support of a proscribed organization.

In addition, a separate event organized by Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine also took place, gathering approximately 100 pro-Palestinian supporters outside Manchester Cathedral before a march.

These protests occurred just days after the tragic deaths of two Jewish men, Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, who were killed when Jihad Al-Shamie drove his car into people outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Manchester.

The attacker attempted to enter the synagogue before being shot dead by armed police, with three other individuals sustained injuries in the incident.

Before the gatherings, the Community Security Trust (CST) charity, which offers security to the Jewish community, informed BBC Radio 4’s Today program that the protests were “incredibly tone-deaf.”

Dave Rich remarked, “For so many individuals who profess concern for human rights and freedoms, to divert police resources away from ensuring the safety and rights of Jewish people, allowing them to live peacefully and attend synagogue, in order to support a designated terrorist organization—which is not synonymous with supporting the Palestinians—is deeply misguided.”

He concluded, “The two issues are distinct. It is remarkably self-centered and insensitive, to say the least.”