DUBAI: Robert Del Naja, the frontman of UK band Massive Attack, has been detained on suspicion of showing support for a proscribed organization after taking part in a large protest in central London on Saturday.
The demonstration was held in opposition to the ban on the protest group Palestine Action.
Del Naja, who performs under the name 3D, joined hundreds in Trafalgar Square, where he held a placard stating: “I Oppose Genocide, I Support Palestine Action.”
Video footage shows police officers approaching Del Naja and informing him of his arrest before escorting him away from the crowd, as onlookers cheered.
During the incident, a bystander asked: “Can you tell us why you’re being arrested today?” The musician responded: “I’m being unlawfully arrested.”
Before the protest, Del Naja reportedly acknowledged concerns about the potential impact an arrest could have on his career, particularly regarding international travel.
“Being a musician, obviously, there was a lot of trepidation around how we might not be able to travel and get visas,” he said.
“But I thought ‘this is ridiculous’ and then the police making that U-turn to arrest people again, I thought that is even more ridiculous. So I’m going to hold a sign today.
“If I get arrested, I feel very confident that if I stand up in court with the right guidance and say, ‘This was an unlawful arrest and, therefore, I don’t accept it.’”
The protest marked the first major demonstration against the ban on Palestine Action since a High Court ruling in February deemed it unlawful.
The ban is still in place because the UK government has launched an appeal against the decision.
Following the High Court decision, the Metropolitan Police initially suggested arrests would cease, but in March confirmed that officers would resume detaining individuals for expressions of support for the group.
Authorities reported that more than 500 people were arrested during Saturday’s protest, while over 2,200 individuals have been detained to date on suspicion of backing Palestine Action.
The demonstration was organized by Defend Our Juries, which criticized the police response.
The group reportedly stated: “The Met are choosing to make arrests despite the government’s ban on the group being ruled unlawful by the high court, and leading lawyers warning that any arrests would be unlawful.”
