Merseyside Police confirmed the arrest of more than 50 individuals outside the Labour Party’s annual conference in Liverpool on Sunday. The demonstrators, organized by the group Defend Our Juries, had gathered in a crowd of over 250 to show support for Palestine Action, which the British government designated a “terrorist” organization in July 2025 under the Terrorism Act.
The situation escalated when police officers engaged the protesters, inquiring whether they intended to continue displaying material associated with the banned group. Following those exchanges, authorities began making arrests, citing the legislation that outlawed the organization. Reporting from the scene, it was noted that the activists sought to put the issue of the group’s proscription “front and centre of the UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s agenda” as the party conference commenced.
In a statement regarding the incident, Merseyside Police maintained that they aimed to ensure public safety while respecting the right to lawful protest. During the demonstrations, activists also confronted Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband at a local restaurant, pressing him to reverse the ban and formally recognize the situation in Gaza as genocide; Miliband reportedly declined to comment.
Participants expressed defiance despite the police action. One demonstrator told reporters that their arrest was insignificant compared to the circumstances in Gaza and necessary to defend the right to free speech. Another protester emphasized that the gathering included healthcare workers and clergy motivated by moral convictions. According to another, “there are priests, there are healthcare workers, there are people who deeply care, and deeply care about right and wrong.”.
Amnesty International UK’s chief executive, Kerry Moscogiuri, condemned the arrests as a “truly shameful attack on freedom of speech,” asserting that protest remains a critical tool for public accountability. She questioned whether Prime Minister Burnham would take steps to reform laws to better protect the rights of communities to assemble and voice their concerns.
Since the proscription of Palestine Action in July 2025, a wider civil disobedience movement has grown across the UK. To date, more than 3,600 people have been arrested for expressing support for the organization, frequently while carrying signs declaring, “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”
