Police in the United Kingdom arrested at least 86 protesters outside a London jail as demonstrators gathered to demand the release of prisoners linked to the pro-Palestinian direct-action group Palestine Action, according to reporting published Monday, January 26, 2026.
The protest focused on detainees held at West London’s Wormwood Scrubs prison and drew attention to Muhammad Umer Khalid, described as a 22-year-old political prisoner who recently relaunched a hunger strike after initially beginning one in November and briefly pausing in December due to health complications.
Videos from the scene showed tense confrontations, with officers pushing some protesters to the ground and placing others in handcuffs. Organizers said the demonstration was meant to keep public attention on the continued detention of activists while they await trial.
The arrests come amid broader controversy surrounding the British government’s decision to ban Palestine Action under terrorism legislation. Supporters say the ban criminalizes activism and chills protest rights, while authorities argue the designation is necessary to deter actions they describe as dangerous and unlawful.
Activists at the protest argued that imprisonment and restrictive policing are being used to suppress dissent. They also said hunger strikes underscore the urgency of their demands, warning that prolonged detention combined with self-starvation can lead to serious medical outcomes.
The case is likely to remain politically charged in the weeks ahead, as court proceedings continue and campaigners press for renewed scrutiny of the ban, detention conditions, and the policing of demonstrations near prisons.