Met Police arrest 139 at Palestine Action protest outside US embassy in London
Unbiased summary
On Saturday, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the US embassy in London for a demonstration organised by Defend Our Juries against the proscription of Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act. The Metropolitan Police had warned before the event that anyone providing logistical support or expressing support for the banned group would face arrest. Police arrested 139 people, mostly for expressing support for a proscribed organisation. Protesters held signs reading 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.' A Section 35 dispersal order was in place. The demonstration came ahead of a Supreme Court hearing on the proscription. Similar events were held elsewhere, including Edinburgh. The Met said the protests divert police resources.
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Coverage by outlet
Morning Star
left
Angle
Frames the police response as an escalating crackdown on peaceful protest and civil liberties, amplifying organiser and activist criticism.
Bias
Emphasises the Met's warning about arresting 'logistical' helpers, quotes Defend Our Juries condemning the move as 'reckless and irresponsible', and highlights Green Party leader Zack Polanski's criticism. Downplays or omits the actual number of arrests (139) and the fact that protestors were expressing support for a proscribed terrorist organisation; instead focuses on the right to protest and risks to elderly and disabled people. Strays from neutral by adopting a strongly critical tone toward police and government.
The Guardian
left
Angle
Presents the protest as a large-scale, grassroots civil disobedience movement against an unjust ban, with human-interest framing.
Bias
Emphasises the scale ('almost 140 arrested', 'largest mass demonstrations'), includes a sympathetic quote from a 79-year-old protester, and notes that over 4,000 arrests have been made for supporting Palestine Action. Downplays the legal basis for arrests under the Terrorism Act and the police's characterization of the event as a crime. Omits the Met's statement that protests divert resources; frames police warnings as aggressive but does not challenge the legality of the proscription.
The Independent
centre-left
Angle
Provides a mostly factual account but leans slightly toward framing the police response as heavy-handed, using language like 'warned' and highlighting the number of arrests.
Bias
Emphasises the number of arrests and the police statement that protesters were 'essentially meeting to purposefully commit a crime', but also includes details like the Section 35 order and the expected attendance. Omits deeper context about the proscription's legal history and the controversy over the ban. Coverage is relatively balanced but focuses on the police operation rather than the protesters' motivations.
Daily Mail
right
Angle
Frames the protest as a law-breaking event by supporters of a banned terrorist group, emphasising police action and downplaying the scale of the demonstration.
Bias
Emphasises that protesters were 'pledging support for the banned group' and that arrests were made for expressing support for a proscribed organisation. Downplays the number of attendees by noting 'images suggest the actual number was a little over 100' despite organisers expecting 400. Includes police statement about resources being diverted. Omits any criticism of the police or the ban, and does not include voices from protesters or organisers beyond their plans.
GB News
right
Angle
Frames the protest as 'hundreds defy Palestine Action ban' and consistently labels the group as a 'terrorist organisation', emphasising law enforcement and public safety concerns.
Bias
Emphasises the arrests and the proscription, repeatedly referring to Palestine Action as a 'terror group' or 'terrorist organisation'. Includes a quote from a local Green Party leader expressing concern over police resources, but frames it as a 'latest development' rather than central. Downplays the protesters' message about genocide and the US role, and omits the scale of the protest (hundreds vs. 'more than a hundred'). Strays by adopting emotionally charged language ('defy', 'terrorist organisation') and focusing on police resource concerns.