Massive Attack Vocalist Arrested for Participating in Pro-Palestine Action

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The vocalist of the trip-hop group Massive Attack, Robert Del Naja, was arrested during a pro-Palestine action in central London’s Trafalgar Square on Saturday (11 April 2026) local time. He was among more than 200 people detained in the demonstration.

The 61-year-old man was seen sitting with hundreds of other demonstrators while holding a sign reading, “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action”. Shortly afterwards, officers from the Metropolitan Police approached him, stated that he was under arrest, and led him away amid cheers and applause from the crowd.

Police confirmed that a total of 212 people had been arrested in the demonstration. All are suspected of showing support for Palestine Action, an organisation that has been declared prohibited. Those arrested ranged in age from 27 to 82 years.

Support for Palestine Action has been illegal since July 2025, after the UK government banned the organisation under anti-terrorism legislation, as reported by the BBC website on Sunday (12 April 2026). The ban was declared unlawful by a court in February, but the policy remains in effect pending an appeal process.

Previously, police had indicated they would not make arrests following the court decision. However, in March, they changed their stance and resumed action against demonstrators expressing support for the group.

Before his arrest, Del Naja told the Press Association that he still wanted to attend the action despite the risks to his music career. “As a musician, there is certainly great concern about how we might not be able to travel and obtain visas,” he said.