Activists across the United Kingdom are pushing back against what they describe as an escalating campaign of intimidation after several protesters were arrested for holding signs that read, “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.” The arrests, captured in multiple viral clips, have intensified debate over the country’s policing approach to pro-Palestine demonstrations and the broader sweep of UK protest laws.

The latest detentions occurred during small gatherings outside public buildings and transport hubs, where officers warned demonstrators that their messages could be interpreted as supporting an organisation accused of direct action against Israeli-linked arms manufacturers. Police say they were enforcing public order statutes. Protesters say the justification is thin and politically motivated.

The scenes come as Palestine Action, a network known for disruptive campaigns targeting UK factories linked to the Israeli defence sector, remains under legal and political pressure. Activists argue that the group’s tactics draw attention to Britain’s role in global arms supply chains, particularly equipment used in Gaza, and insist that silencing supporters will not derail the movement.

Civil liberties groups have condemned the arrests, warning that peaceful expression is being criminalised. Lawyers say the detentions risk setting a precedent where merely expressing solidarity with a controversial cause could trigger police action.

As public demonstrations continue across London, Manchester and Glasgow, protesters insist they will not back down. They argue the fight is not only about Palestine Action, but about the right to dissent in a country where the lines between security enforcement and political policing feel increasingly blurred.