London: British police have arrested more than 200 people protesting the government’s ban on Palestine Action, a group known for its protests against arms companies linked to Israel, particularly those involved in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. London’s Metropolitan Police announced they had arrested more than 200 activists during a demonstration held in Parliament Square.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, hundreds of people participated in the demonstration, organized by Defend Our Juries, with protesters holding up signs that read, ‘I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.’ On July 5, British lawmakers overwhelmingly voted in favor of Home Secretary Yvette Cooper’s decision to proscribe the group under the Terrorism Act 2000, which was also approved by the House of Lords.

Membership of and support for Palestine Action became a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years behind bars, a move UN experts, civil liberties organizations, cultural figures, and hundreds of lawyers had condemned as ‘draconian.’ Last week, Huda Amouri, co-founder of Palestine Action, obtained permission to file a lawsuit against the ban after Judge Martin Chamberlain stated that her argument that the ban constitutes a disproportionate interference with their right to freedom of expression is ‘worthy of debate.’

Authorities have arrested dozens of people for carrying banners in support of the movement since the ban came into effect, and those expressing support for the Palestinian cause are also facing increased scrutiny by the police.