London's Metropolitan Police arrested 523 people on Saturday at a Trafalgar Square demonstration organized by Defend Our Juries. Protesters held signs reading "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action," making them liable for arrest under anti-terrorism legislation. [1]

The arrests are legally extraordinary. In February, the High Court ruled that the government's proscription of Palestine Action was unlawful. The ban remains in force only because the Home Office obtained a stay pending appeal. [2] The Met resumed arrests in March after briefly pausing them, arguing it must "enforce the law as it is at the time."

Those arrested ranged in age from 18 to 87. Among them was Massive Attack frontman Robert Del Naja, who was carried away by three officers. [1]

X frames this as state overreach — arresting hundreds for holding signs supporting a group that courts have already said should not be banned. MSM reports the facts cleanly but rarely lingers on the paradox: over 2,700 people have now been arrested for supporting an organization whose proscription has been ruled unlawful by the judiciary.

The law says one thing. The courts say another. The police enforce the first.

-- CHARLES ASHFORD, London