London Law Enforcement Carry Out 175 Detentions at Pro-Palestine Demonstration

A total of 175 people were detained in the heart of London during protests in support of the banned group the pro-Palestinian organization, according to the London police force.

Organizers said many people took part in protests supporting Palestine Action – an organization which was proscribed by the authorities in July, rendering it unlawful to express backing or affiliation to them.

Demonstrations went ahead despite appeals from ministers and police who urged demonstrations to be postponed following Thursday's fatal assault on a synagogue in Manchester.

Sir Keir Starmer had urged protesters to "honor the sorrow of British Jews", while community leaders also condemned the demonstrations.

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Defend Our Juries member, Sir Jonathon Porritt, said he had "no doubt" that "everyone involved in the silent vigil today will show huge respect and genuine sorrow for those affected by the terrible tragedy at Heaton Park".

"It is my belief that means that we should be asked to give up on our entitlement to stand up for those who are being ravaged by an continuing, live mass killing in Gaza."

Those taking part "would have the deepest concern about increasing levels of anti-Jewish sentiment", he added.

Ahead of the protests, the London police said it would assign 1,500 officers to the central London location to manage the demonstrators.

In an statement on the weekend, the police force said the majority of those arrested were detained for gathering in Trafalgar Square; while six were arrested for displaying a banner backing the proscribed group on Westminster Bridge earlier in the day.

The force said each detention required effort because "many of those detained refused to leave out of the area and had to be physically removed".

The Met clarified this is a procedure which requires a at least of five police personnel to do so without risk.

On the previous day, the London police sent a letter to Defend Our Juries to raise concerns about the quantity of police resources the demonstration would redirect at a time when "visible reassurance and protective measures" was needed for the public.

But the organization, which has led protests against the prohibition on the group, defied these calls and proceeded with the demonstration.

Minutes before the main event started in the central location, protest organizers succeeded in hold two banners over the northern part of Westminster Bridge which stated: "I am against mass killing" and "I support Palestine Action".

The Met reported officers took down the banners moments later, and arrested those involved for backing a banned group.

A comparable gathering held by Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine also occurred where a crowd of around 100 activists assembled outside the city cathedral ahead of a march.

The protests were conducted just a short time after two Jewish men – the victims – were killed after an assailant used a vehicle into individuals outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue.

The attacker then tried to force his way into the place of worship before being fatally shot by armed police. Three others were hurt in the incident.

Ahead of the protests, the a security charity – which provides security for the Jewish community – informed the press, the demonstrations were "extremely insensitive".

"Given the numerous individuals who profess concern about human rights and value freedoms, to be taking police resources away from safeguarding the rights and liberties of the Jewish community to live their lives and go to synagogue in safety, all to support a banned extremist group, which is not the same thing as backing Palestinian causes."

"These aspects are not the same. And I think it's highly self-centered and insensitive to say the least."

The group has called on the Met to "focus on safeguarding the community, rather than detaining those calmly holding signs" in backing the banned group.

The government outlawed the group under anti-terrorism legislation in July, after protesters broke into an military installation and harmed two air force planes earlier in the year.

At various demonstrations since then, numerous individuals have been detained for showing support for the organization, which has won permission to contest the prohibition.