UK anti-war group Stop the War Coalition headlines this week as it faces legal scrutiny amid protests and policing debates over Gaza-related actions.
Several legal proceedings are ongoing: a South African case involving a shooting at Mugabe's residence, a UK protest trial over police conditions, and a Ghanaian footballer facing rape charges. These cases highlight issues of violence, protest rights, and legal accountability today.
On April 11, 2026, London's Metropolitan Police arrested 523 protesters supporting Palestine Action during a sit-down demonstration in Trafalgar Square. The group was banned as a terrorist organisation in July 2025, but the High Court ruled the ban unlawful in February 2026. Despite this, police resumed arrests in late March as the government appeals the ruling. Over 3,000 arrests have been made since the ban.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has signalled that certain pro-Palestinian protests could be halted in the UK, citing a cumulative impact on Britain's Jewish community. He has called for tougher action on chants such as “globalise the intifada” and says some demonstrations may be stopped altogether. Police say the threat to Britons is serious and has intensified after recent attacks in London.