Khaberni - London police announced on Saturday the arrest of more than 500 pro-Palestinian demonstrators in a demonstration supporting the banned "Palestine Action - Movement for Palestine" organization by UK authorities.
Security forces led away activists amid chants and applause from other demonstrators who participated in a sit-in at Trafalgar Square. The demonstrators held banners supporting the organization, making them subject to arrest.
The organization was banned after being classified as "terrorist" in July, making membership or support for it a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
The High Court in London upheld a challenge to the ban in mid-February, saying that it conflicted with the right to freedom of expression.
Following the High Court ruling, London's Metropolitan Police ceased the arrests before announcing at the end of March that it would resume them. The government was granted permission to appeal the court decision.
The British capital's police department stated in a press release that "523 people were arrested today for showing support for a banned organization."
