Wire reporting: (AP, via Local 10)

London's Metropolitan Police said they arrested 48 people on Saturday at a protest outside the U.S. embassy supporting Palestine Action, which the U.K. government banned under terrorism law in July 2025^2,6,7.

The force said officers remained at the scene and were continuing to make arrests, and that most arrests were for expressing support for a proscribed organization^2,6,7. Associated Press copy carried by U.S. television stations and The Philadelphia Inquirer reported the same 48-person figure^2,3,4,5.

The AP report said more than 100 people took part in London². An AFP reporter described hundreds gathering for a lunchtime demonstration^6,7. Demonstrators also held a vigil outside the U.S. consulate in Edinburgh; the AP report said no arrests were reported there^2,6,7.

The 2025 ban made membership or support a criminal offense that can carry up to 14 years in prison^2,7. Police and campaigners say nearly 4,000 people have been arrested for alleged support since then^6,7.

The U.K. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear an appeal against the designation; Associated Press listed the date as Nov. 4, and Middle East Eye and Arab News described a two-day hearing from Wednesday after the Court of Appeal in June ruled in the government's favor^2,6,7. Co-founder Huda Ammori has argued the measure is disproportionate and affects human rights⁷.

In July, hearings tied to more than 2,000 related cases were postponed until later this year⁷. How Saturday's arrests will be charged, and how the court will treat the ban, is not yet established^2,6,7.