U.K. police arrest dozens at London jail protest over Palestine Action prisoners
British police arrested at least 86 people outside a London jail during a protest demanding the release of Palestine Action political prisoners, according to reports. The demonstration also drew attention to a detainee’s hunger strike and the U.K. government’s decision to ban the group under terrorism legislation.
At least 86 protesters were arrested in Britain after gathering outside a London jail to demand the release of Palestine Action political prisoners, according to reporting published Monday, January 26, 2026. The demonstration took place at Wormwood Scrubs in west London and focused on detainees held in connection with activism tied to Palestine Action.
Footage and accounts from the scene described police moving through the crowd, pushing some demonstrators to the ground and placing others in handcuffs as the protest intensified. Organizers framed the gathering as a show of solidarity with activists they say are being punished for political expression. Authorities, by contrast, have emphasized public-order concerns and the legal status of the group.
The protest also highlighted the case of Muhammad Umer Khalid, a 22-year-old prisoner who has reportedly relaunched a hunger strike after pausing earlier due to serious health complications. Supporters say the hunger strike underscores the severity of the dispute and the urgency of their demands. Hunger strikes have historically played a powerful role in prison-related political movements, but they also raise acute medical and ethical questions for jail systems.
At the center of the controversy is the British government’s decision to ban Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act, a move that carries heavy legal consequences and can widen police powers. Supporters argue the label is disproportionate and chills protest. Critics of the group argue that direct-action tactics can cross legal lines, and they point to the government’s responsibility to protect public safety.
With arrests now added to the legal cases already underway, the episode is likely to sharpen debate across the U.K. about protest rights, policing methods, and how broadly terrorism laws should be applied to domestic activism. Any court proceedings tied to the arrests could also set precedents for how similar demonstrations are handled in the future.