LONDON — Nearly 900 people were arrested during a protest in London on Saturday in support of the banned group Palestine Action, according to the Metropolitan Police. The demonstration drew around 1,500 participants outside Parliament, where many held signs reading, "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action."

The police reported that 890 individuals were detained, with 857 arrests made under the Terrorism Act for supporting a proscribed organization. An additional 33 people were arrested for other offenses, including 17 for assaulting police officers.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Claire Smart stated, "In carrying out their duties today, our officers have been punched, kicked, spat on and had objects thrown at them by protesters." She described the abuse directed at police as "intolerable."

The protest was organized by the campaign group Defend Our Juries, which claimed that the event was peaceful. They criticized the police's characterization of the protesters as violent, calling those claims "frankly laughable."

The government designated Palestine Action as a terrorist organization in July, following incidents of vandalism, including damage to planes at a Royal Air Force base. The group has been involved in direct action protests since its formation in 2020, targeting facilities linked to the Israeli military and defense companies.

Supporters of Palestine Action argue that the ban infringes on free speech and the right to protest. Mike Higgins, a 62-year-old protester who uses a wheelchair, expressed his frustration, saying, "And I’m a terrorist? That’s the joke of it. Of course I’ll keep coming back. What choice do I have?"

The ban has sparked criticism from various quarters, including the United Nations, which warned that the application of counterterrorism laws could hinder fundamental freedoms in the UK. Huda Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action, called the government's decision "catastrophic" for civil liberties.

The High Court has allowed Palestine Action to challenge the ban, with a hearing scheduled for September 25. Meanwhile, the British government maintains that the proscription does not affect other lawful groups, including those advocating for Palestinian or Israeli causes.

On the same day as the Palestine Action protest, an estimated 20,000 people attended a separate pro-Palestinian march in London.