Robert Del Naja Detained During Liverpool Demonstration Over Palestine Action Ban
Kabarsaji.com – Massive Attack musician Robert Del Naja was arrested in Liverpool on Saturday, September 26, while taking part in a demonstration backing Palestine Action, an organization banned under the United Kingdom’s terrorism legislation.
Del Naja stood near the venue hosting the Labour Party conference, due to begin the following day, carrying a placard expressing opposition to genocide and support for Palestine Action. The protest formed part of Defend Our Juries’ “Lift the Ban” campaign, which seeks to overturn the group’s proscribed status.
Police officers approached the musician and told him he needed to leave because they believed an offense was being committed. Footage shared by Defend Our Juries shows Del Naja challenging the grounds for the action before officers informed him that support for Palestine Action could constitute a criminal offense.
“I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”
During the exchange, Del Naja argued that UK law also prohibits assisting people or businesses connected to what he described as genocidal war crimes. An officer asked whether he understood that Palestine Action had been proscribed. He replied that he did not accept the decision to ban the group.
“You’re under arrest for supporting a proscribed organisation,”
a second officer told him in the video.
Campaign Focuses on Reversing Proscription
The Liverpool action was held outside a politically significant gathering, with Labour Party delegates preparing for their annual conference. The arrest came one day before the event, which was Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first party conference since taking office in July.
Defend Our Juries has made lifting the prohibition on Palestine Action the central demand of its campaign. Its supporters argue that people should be able to publicly oppose the ban without being treated as terrorists or criminal suspects. The group’s protests have drawn attention to the legal consequences of the government’s designation and to the broader dispute over the limits of political expression.
Under the Terrorism Act 2000, the UK government placed Palestine Action on its list of proscribed organizations in July 2025. The designation makes membership in the organization illegal and also criminalizes expressions of support for it. In practical terms, the decision has placed protesters, campaigners, and public figures under scrutiny when they use language or symbols that authorities interpret as endorsing the group.
Del Naja had publicly called for the ban to be removed only hours before he was detained. In a prerecorded video, he appeared alongside Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori and human rights barrister Michael Mansfield KC. The three addressed Burnham and urged the government to reconsider its position.
“We don’t believe that you believe that these citizens are terrorists,”
they said, referring to individuals arrested for expressing support for Palestine Action.
“So we ask you to stop what is obviously wrong. De-proscribe Palestine Action.”
Artist’s Record of Palestinian Solidarity
The Liverpool arrest was not Del Naja’s first encounter with police at a demonstration involving Palestine Action. He was among hundreds of people arrested during a comparable protest in London in April. The repeated arrests have made the case a prominent example of the tension between protest activity and the UK’s proscription laws.
Massive Attack has for years used its public profile to voice support for Palestinians. The band’s political statements have extended beyond Britain and have occasionally affected its ability to perform internationally. In July, Del Naja and fellow Massive Attack member Grant Marshall were prevented from entering or performing in Singapore after a Palestinian flag appeared during one of the group’s concerts.
The band has also joined other musicians in campaigns challenging what participants describe as restrictions on pro-Palestinian speech. For artists involved in these efforts, the issue is not limited to concerts or social-media statements; it includes whether cultural figures can use performances, public appearances, and political demonstrations to criticize government policy.
Why the Case Matters
Del Naja’s detention highlights the far-reaching effect of proscription. A ban does more than prevent formal participation in an organization: it can shape the language used at rallies, the wording on placards, and the decisions of people who wish to demonstrate in public. The legal threshold for expressing support has become a central point of argument for campaigners opposed to the designation.
Supporters of the “Lift the Ban” initiative contend that the government should distinguish between peaceful political protest and material involvement in unlawful activity. Authorities, meanwhile, enforce the restrictions attached to the proscription order, including measures directed at public displays seen as support for the organization.
For Del Naja, the arrest places a well-known musician at the center of a debate that has already produced mass arrests and sustained public protest. It also brings renewed attention to the campaign’s demand that Palestine Action be removed from the UK’s list of proscribed organizations.
Related Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Massive Attack s Robert Del Naja?
Massive Attack s Robert Del Naja is the main topic of this guide. The article explains the context, practical details, and next steps readers should understand.
Why does Massive Attack s Robert Del Naja matter?
Massive Attack s Robert Del Naja matters because readers are looking for a useful answer, not just a short summary. Good content should match search intent and help them decide what to do next.