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Robert Del Naja arrested during protest in support of Palestine Action
Robert Del Naja was arrested during a protest against the ban on Palestine Action on Saturday.
The Massive Attack star was among more than 500 others who were arrested from the Everyone Day protest at Trafalgar Square in London.
“I’m witnessing a farcical authoritarian overreach,” said Del Naja, during the protest. “You’re talking about vandalism, but that is not the crime, in the light of the crimes that are being committed against Palestinian, Lebanese and Iranian people.”
BREAKING: Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja unlawfully arrested under the Terrorism Act.
He was amongst hundreds of protestors arrested for holding signs which say “I oppose genocide – I support Palestine Action”.
The ban is unlawful, and so are these arrests. pic.twitter.com/FOgvC0z7x2
— Defend Our Juries (@DefendOurJuries) April 11, 2026
Del Naja continued: “We have to use these moments to protest, otherwise this democratic country actually doesn’t stand for anything.
“The example of this misuse of law, to pretty much dampen the spirit of protest in a country that is built on democracy, on the ability to protest and to have dissent, argue with the government, disagree with the government. This is what we’ve always done; that is the foundation of how a democracy works.”
In a video shared by Defend Our Juries, the musician from the Bristol-based band can be seen holding a placard reading: “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.” The same video also shows officers carrying Del Naja away following his arrest.
Del Naja said these actions were important to oppose the “misuse” of law to dampen the spirit of protesting in a democratic country
The protest on Saturday by Defend Our Juries is part of their existing Lift the Ban protests, against what they call an “unlawful ban on Palestine Action”.
In an update shared on Friday, the Met Police said based on previous activity they believe the protest on Saturday was likely to involve “offending rather than a lawful protest”.
They said there had been “coordinated attempts” by the group at similar events before to disrupt police activity.
A High Court ruling in February found the ban on Palestine Action unlawful.
But in a statement issued in March, the Met Police clarified that this will not take effect until the government’s appeal has been considered, explaining that this could “take months”.
The statement also added that this meant it was still a “crime” to support Palestine Action.
All photos and videos: Defend Our Juries
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