MORE THAN 400 PLAN PROTEST AT US EMBASSY OVER PALESTINE ACTION BAN

Defend Our Juries says more than 400 people have volunteered for a protest outside the US embassy in London on 31 October against the ban on Palestine Action. Participants plan to hold signs reading, “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” The campaign group says it will hold a parallel protest outside the US consulate in Edinburgh. People displaying the signs risk arrest under the Terrorism Act, which criminalises certain expressions of support for a proscribed organisation.

Keir Starmer’s government proscribed Palestine Action in July 2025, making membership and certain expressions of support offences punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Defend Our Juries estimates that roughly 3,850 people have since been arrested over alleged public support for the group. It says authorities have brought at least 2,250 charges. In June, the Court of Appeal overturned a High Court ruling that had found the ban unlawful. The Supreme Court will hear an appeal by Palestine Action cofounder Huda Ammori on 4 and 5 November.

Defend Our Juries says it chose US diplomatic premises to raise questions about President Donald Trump’s possible influence on the ban. Palestine Action activists had spray-painted Trump’s Turnberry golf course in Scotland before the proscription. Evidence presented during a judicial review showed that Starmer spoke to Trump on 10 and 30 March after that action. Trump called the activists “terrorists” on Truth Social and said they would “hopefully be treated harshly”. People arrested at earlier protests against the ban include Rob del Naja of Massive Attack, barrister Margaret Owen, former government adviser Jonathan Porritt and the Reverend Sue Parfitt.