139 arrested at Nine Elms US embassy protest, Wandsworth residents affected
Metropolitan Police detained 139 demonstrators supporting the banned Palestine Action group after a Section 35 dispersal order, with the operation costing £1.3 million.
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The Metropolitan Police confirmed that 139 arrests had been made by 6.15 pm on Saturday at a protest outside the US embassy in Nine Elms, Wandsworth. The demonstrators were displaying signs in support of the banned Palestine Action group, and the arrests directly affect those participants and their families.
The rally was organised by the activist group Defend Our Juries, which had warned that attendees could face arrest. The organisers expected around 400 people to gather, meaning roughly one quarter of those present were taken into custody, as reported by the Standard.
Met Police warn of arrests at pro-Palestine protest
Organisers Defend Our Juries plan demonstration outside US Embassy in Battersea on Saturday
Legal status of Palestine Action
Palestine Action was proscribed in June 2025, so any public expression of support now constitutes an offence under the Terrorism Act. The Standard notes that the ban was upheld by the Court of Appeal in June, describing it as a justified and proportionate measure.
Police operation and costs
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Before the demonstration, the Metropolitan Police issued a Section 35 dispersal order covering the embassy grounds from 8 am to 11 pm. Officers began detaining participants shortly after 12.30 pm, sometimes carrying them to police vans when they refused to walk, the Standard reports.
"I fear for our civil liberties, which are being devalued and watered down, even by this new Labour Government,"
Charles Allison, retired lawyer
Charles Allison, a 75‑year‑old retired solicitor who travelled from Cumbria to attend, told the Standard he felt compelled to break the law deliberately because he feared a loss of freedoms. He was taken away by officers just before 1 pm after being told he posed a "threat".
What happens to those arrested
Arrestees were transferred to police stations for processing. Defend Our Juries said the total number of people detained for defying the ban has risen to more than 4,000 since July 2025. The group plans to challenge the prosecutions in the upcoming Supreme Court appeal scheduled for 4 November.
The Metropolitan Police has indicated that individuals charged under the Terrorism Act could face imprisonment, though exact sentences will depend on the courts. Residents of Nine Elms and the wider Wandsworth area are advised to stay informed about any further legal notices or public‑order directives.
The next formal step is the Supreme Court hearing, which will consider the legality of the proscription. Until a judgment is delivered, the ban remains in force and the police are likely to maintain a heightened presence around the embassy.
Questions this report answers
+How many people were arrested at the Nine Elms protest?
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that 139 demonstrators were arrested by 6.15 pm on Saturday outside the US embassy in Nine Elms, as reported by the Standard. The arrests were for displaying support for the proscribed Palestine Action group.
+What cost has the police incurred for handling these public‑order events?
A freedom‑of‑information response shows the Metropolitan Police spent £1.3 million on six Palestine‑Israel public‑order events in June and July. This figure includes the resources deployed for the Nine Elms demonstration and related operations.
+What legal consequences do protesters face for supporting Palestine Action?
Since Palestine Action was proscribed in June 2025, any public support is an offence under the Terrorism Act. Those arrested may be charged and could receive custodial sentences, though exact penalties will be determined by the courts.
+When will the Supreme Court hear the appeal related to the ban?
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the appeal concerning the proscription of Palestine Action on 4 November. The hearing will consider whether the ban complies with legal standards, and its outcome will affect future prosecutions.
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