Police arrest 139 at London protest backing banned Palestine Action ahead of Supreme Court appeal

London's Metropolitan Police said 139 people had been arrested by Saturday evening at a protest outside the US embassy in Battersea, south London, against the ban on Palestine Action, with officers still making arrests. An earlier police statement had put the number at 48. Police said most arrests were for expressing support for a proscribed organisation. Hundreds gathered, many holding signs reading "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action." The UK government outlawed the group as a terrorist organisation in July last year, and membership or support is punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Before the event, police warned of a robust operation, and Commander Adam Slonecki said attendees knew supporting a proscribed group was unlawful. A vigil was also held outside the US consulate in Edinburgh, where no arrests were reported but Police Scotland said inquiries were continuing. The protests came days before a Supreme Court appeal against the ban, due Wednesday, Nov. 4.

Left-leaning outlets differ in their emphasis. The Guardian leads with the 139 arrests, calling it the largest such protest under Prime Minister Andy Burnham, and quotes Slonecki's "meeting to purposefully commit a crime" line alongside Defend Our Juries, which said the Met feared US embarrassment and put turnout near 400. It also cites more than 4,000 arrests since the ban. CBS News relies on the earlier figure of 48, estimates over 100 participants, describes protesters applauding and chanting as people were taken away, and gives Police Scotland's statement, noting supporters call the ban draconian. Both stress the ban's legal context. Alternative outlets add detail: Al Jazeera updates from 48 to 139 and quotes Labour MP John McDonnell, who said protesting the ban does not automatically signal support for the group. The Times of Israel's excerpt mentions the Supreme Court hearing and a reported UK Greens membership loss. Right-leaning outlets had not reported this story at the time of writing, while left-leaning and alternative outlets had, focusing on arrest numbers, police warnings and the coming appeal.