Demonstration supporting Palestine Action takes place in Edinburgh

Protesters, many holding placards with the message, “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action” gathered by the building on Saturday afternoon.It came as a similar demonstration was taking place outside the US embassy in Nine Elms, London.Expressing support for the group is an offence under the Terrorism Act after it was proscribed in June 2025.People gathered outside the US Consulate in Edinburgh (Jane Barlow/PA)PA WireThe protests come ahead of an appeal at the Supreme Court against Palestine Action’s designation as a terror group on November 4.A spokesperson for Defend Our Juries Scotland, which is organising the demonstration in Edinburgh, said they are sitting in “peaceful vigil today to show our solidarity with the Palestinian people” and in opposition to the “absurd ban” on Palestine Action.The spokesperson added: “We will continue to defy this ban, and we will not be silenced.“Whilst legal proceedings in Scotland have been delayed pending the hearings in the Supreme Court of England and Wales this coming week, we will continue to mount pressure from all angles.“The ban must be lifted, and our Government must take meaningful action to end its complicity in genocide.”Campaigners held placards outside the US Consulate (Jane Barlow/PA)PA WireA Home Office spokesperson said: “The Court of Appeal found that Palestine Action carried out acts of terrorism, celebrated those who took part in them and promoted the use of violence. Its proscription followed a rigorous and evidence-based decision-making process, endorsed by Parliament.“Free speech is a fundamental democratic right – the proscription of Palestine Action does not affect lawful protest in support of the Palestinian cause.”In June, five Court of Appeal judges said the ban on Palestine Action as a terror group was a “justified and proportionate” interference on freedom of expression rights.Read MoreThis overturned the judgment of three judges at the High Court who ruled in February that the then-home secretary Yvette Cooper’s decision to ban Palestine Action was unlawful, after a legal challenge from the group’s co-founder, Huda Ammori.A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Officers attended planned protests in Edinburgh on the afternoon of Saturday 31 October 2026.“No arrests were made at the time, however inquiries are ongoing to identify people seen wearing T-shirts and holding banners showing support for a proscribed organisation.“Evidence is being reviewed and further action will be taken as appropriate.”