Police across the United Kingdom have arrested more than 200 people during a wave of protests, including pro-Palestine and anti-migrant demonstrations. Among those detained was Moazzam Begg, a former Guantanamo Bay detainee, who participated in a rally supporting the banned group Palestine Action in London’s Parliament Square. Officers were seen carrying away protesters, some of whom were sitting or lying on the ground, while campaigners voiced concerns about restrictions on free speech and the impact of anti-terror legislation.

The Metropolitan Police stated that anyone expressing support for Palestine Action could face arrest, with charges under terrorism laws carrying severe consequences. Demonstrations also took place in other cities, with counter-protests and heightened police presence outside migrant hotels and council offices. Scuffles broke out in some locations, and police imposed special powers to manage crowds and maintain order.

The government has defended its ban on Palestine Action, emphasizing that it does not affect broader rights to protest but targets specific violent activities. Legal challenges to the ban are ongoing, with further protests expected in the coming months.