More than 70 pro-Palestine activists have been arrested outside Woolwich Crown Court on suspicion of supporting a proscribed terror group.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed 72 people had been detained after attending a protest in support of four Palestine Action activists.
Samuel Corner, Charlotte Head, Leona Kamio and Fatema Rajwani were found guilty of criminal damage last month after raiding an Elbit Systems site in Bristol.
The group, which targeted the Israeli-linked defence firm in August 2024, caused an estimated £1million worth of damage.
Corner, 23, was also found guilty of grievous bodily harm after hitting a police officer with a sledgehammer.
The defendants, who had previously been cleared in February, were convicted during a retrial.
Scotland Yard confirmed police vans arrived outside Woolwich Crown Court to ferry demonstrators away after the first person was arrested at about 1.20pm.
Activists chanted at officers as they carried away each protester, with some shouting: "You're complicit in genocide."
Activists gathered outside Woolwich Crown Court
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In a second chant, activists said: "Met Police, shame, shame, all the crimes in your name."
Scotland Yard has since confirmed all 72 protesters have been taken into police custody.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: “A number of arrests have been made during a protest in south east London.
“Seventy-two people have been arrested for supporting a proscribed terrorist organisation – Palestine Action – at a demonstration outside Woolwich Crown Court. All are currently in police custody.”
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A police van arrived at the scene at 1.30pm
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Palestine Action was made a proscribed terror organisation in July last year.
The decision made it illegal to show any support or affiliation to the group.
Sir Keir Starmer's Government took the decision to proscribe the group after activists broke into an RAF base and spray-painted two planes.
However, the High Court ruled the proscription of Palestine Action as unlawful earlier this year.
Some of the activists appeared to hold placards in support of Palestine Action
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The Court of Appeal is expected to decide whether to uphold the High Court's ruling next week.
Speaking outside court on Friday, ex-Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell criticised the decision to proscribe Palestine Action.
He also called for the immediate release of the four convicted activists.
Mr McDonnell said: “The worry I’ve got is because the Government has proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation – I voted against that – she (Rajwani) will now be possibly sentenced on terrorist charges.
Police sergeant Kate Evans was unable to work for three months following the incident | PA“I think that’s unjust. By introducing this terrorist element retrospectively, it’s completely unjust.
"And I think, actually, if a jury had heard that, I think they’d be free now.
“I’m actually astounded that this has happened. I’m very angry about it as well. That’s why they should be released today.
“There’s a debate to be had about whether it was a crime as well, because they believed that they were trying to prevent the further killing of Palestinian children.”