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A total of 175 people have been arrested in central London during protests in support of the banned group the pro-Palestinian organization, as stated by the Metropolitan Police.

Organizers said hundreds took part in protests supporting Palestine Action – a group which was proscribed by the government in July, making it illegal to express backing or association to them.

Protests went ahead in spite of appeals from government officials and police who called for demonstrations to be delayed following the recent deadly synagogue attack in Manchester.

Sir Keir Starmer had urged protesters to "respect the grief of British Jews", while community leaders also condemned the protests.

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Defend Our Juries member, Sir Jonathon Porritt, said he had "no doubt" that "everyone taking part in the silent vigil today will show huge respect and real grief for those impacted by the terrible tragedy at Heaton Park".

"It is my belief that implies that we should be expected to give up on our right to advocate for those who are being devastated by an ongoing, live genocide in Gaza."

Those participating "possessed the profound worry about growing levels of anti-Jewish sentiment", he added.

Ahead of the protests, the London police said it would assign 1,500 personnel to the central London location to manage the demonstrators.

In an statement on Saturday afternoon, the police force said the bulk of those arrested were detained for gathering in Trafalgar Square; while six were detained for unfurling a banner backing the proscribed group on Westminster Bridge earlier in the day.

The force said each arrest took time because "many of those arrested won't walk out of the square and had to be physically removed".

The Met said this is a process which necessitates a at least of five police personnel to do so safely.

On Friday, the London police wrote to the organizers to express worries about the quantity of police resources the demonstration would divert at a time when "public safety measures and protective security" was needed for communities.

But the organization, which has led protests against the prohibition on Palestine Action, ignored these calls and proceeded with the demonstration.

Moments before the main event started in Trafalgar Square, protest organizers succeeded in hold two banners over the north side of Westminster Bridge which read: "I oppose genocide" and "I support Palestine Action".

The Met reported officers took down the signs moments later, and arrested those involved for supporting a banned group.

A similar event held by Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine also occurred where a crowd of around 100 activists gathered outside the city cathedral ahead of a procession.

The demonstrations were held just days after two individuals – Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz – lost their lives after an assailant used a vehicle into people outside a Manchester synagogue.

The attacker then tried to force his way into the place of worship before being fatally shot by armed police. Additional individuals were injured in the incident.

Prior to the protests, the Community Security Trust – which provides security for the Jewish population – informed media outlets, the demonstrations were "phenomenally tone deaf".

"For so many people who profess concern about human rights and value freedoms, to be diverting law enforcement personnel away from safeguarding the rights and liberties of Jewish people to conduct their daily activities and go to synagogue in safety, all to support a banned extremist group, which is fundamentally different as backing Palestinian causes."

"These aspects are not the same. And I think it's highly self-centered and tactless to say the least."

The group has called on the police to "prioritise safeguarding the community, rather than arresting those peacefully holding signs" in backing Palestine Action.

The authorities proscribed the group under anti-terrorism legislation in July, after protesters broke into an military installation and damaged two military aircraft earlier in the year.

At various protests since then, numerous individuals have been arrested for expressing backing for the organization, which has won permission to contest the ban.