Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja was arrested in London over the weekend for taking part in a protest in support of the organisation Palestine Action.
Del Naja was seen in photos at the protest holding a sign that read “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action”. He was charged with suspicion of showing support for a proscribed organisation, after the UK government banned the protest group last year under anti-terror laws.
The musician was one of 523 people, aged between 18 and 87, who were arrested in the protest at London’s Trafalgar Square on Saturday (11 April). Protestors displayed placards in support of Palestine Action and against Israel, and also staged a sit-in.
In a statement issued via Massive Attack’s Instagram today (13 April), Del Naja said: “In Britain in 2026, you can be arrested under the Terrorism Act for sitting in silence, holding a cardboard sign stating that you oppose genocide and supporting non-violent action to prevent it. Of course, everyone knows this is total madness (including many of the police officers making these arrests, and the High Court judges who recently ruled them unlawful), and yet, somehow it continues.”
He continued: “Many members of, and senior advisers to this government belong to a ‘war is peace’ ideological party block that ignored millions of peaceful marchers to illegally invade Iraq. Their brand of arrogance and callous indifference creates the human desperation they’re hellbent on crushing in the courts.
“Via the present mode of distraction, Keir Starmer and Shabana Mahmood hope they can hide in plain sight the fact that their actions supported a genocide – a monumental crime that they know very well the British public opposed. Frankly, they hope we’re that stupid. They’re wrong.”
Del Naja’s statement concluded: “Our democracy, and the civil rights and liberties that now sit in constitutional law were literally built on small actions like these. Perhaps that’s why this draconian government wants to crush them? Free Palestine. No wars.”
The British High Court has ruled the government’s ban on Palestine Action as unlawful, but it remains a proscribed terrorist organisation in the country amid a government appeal against the High Court’s ruling.
Last year, Massive Attack joined Brian Eno and others in an alliance of musicians speaking out about Israel’s military action in Gaza.
They also geo-blocked their music from streaming platforms in Israel as part of the No Music For Genocide campaign.
