Police in London detained almost 900 people during a pro-Palestine rally on Saturday, the Metropolitan Police confirmed.

Authorities said 857 of the arrests were on suspicion of showing support for Palestine Action, a group the UK government banned in July under the Terrorism Act.

Another 33 demonstrators were taken into custody for alleged assaults on officers and other public order offences.

The mass arrests highlight the hard line taken by police against pro-Palestinian protesters. It follows a similar demonstration last month when more than 500 people were detained.

Campaign group Defend Our Juries, which organised Saturday’s action, rejected police claims of violence and accused officers of “smearing peaceful protesters.”

“Among the 857 arrestees were vicars and priests, war veterans and descendants of Holocaust survivors, retired teachers and healthcare workers,” the group said. Many demonstrators carried placards declaring: “I oppose genocide – I support Palestine Action.”

The group said that police made “false claims” to justify the crackdown. “Video footage clearly shows the Met violently arresting people, wielding their batons and pushing people to the ground. We’re nonviolent, how about you?” it said.

Around 1,500 people joined Saturday’s protest, calling attention to UK complicity in Israeli arms production. Palestine Action has previously targeted arms factories and companies linked to Israel’s weapons industry.

The protest came as Israel’s war in Gaza nears its second year. More than 64,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, according to health authorities in the enclave, which is also suffering famine conditions under Israel’s ongoing blockade.