Massive Attack frontman Robert Del Naja has been arrested on suspicion of showing support for a proscribed organisation after attending a mass protest against the ban on Palestine Action in central London.
Del Naja, also known as 3D, sat among hundreds of fellow demonstrators in Trafalgar Square on Saturday afternoon with a sign that read “I Oppose Genocide, I Support Palestine Action”.
He was later approached by police officers who told him he was being put under arrest, before carrying him away from the demonstration as other protesters cheered and applauded.
In the footage, a woman can be heard saying “You are amazing!” and another “We love you!” as Del Naja lies down on his back before three officers lift him up by his legs and armpits.
As he is being carried away, a man can be heard asking Del Naja: “Can you tell us why you’re being arrested today?” The musician appears to reply: “I’m being unlawfully arrested.”
Prior to his arrest, Del Naja told the Press Association he wanted to attend the protest despite the consequences a potential arrest could have on his music career.
“Being a musician, obviously, there was a lot of trepidation around how we might not be able to travel and get visas,” he said.
“But I thought ‘this is ridiculous’ and then the police making that U-turn to arrest people again, I thought that is even more ridiculous.
“So I’m going to hold a sign today.
“If I get arrested, I feel very confident that if I stand up in court with the right guidance and say ‘this was an unlawful arrest and, therefore, I don’t accept it’.”
He added: “I think that the actions of Palestine Action were highly patriotic because they were pretty much protecting our country from getting involved in serious war crimes, and breaking international law.
“How much more patriotic can you be than that?”
Massive Attack are due to begin a summer tour in Europe from May 26 until June 8, starting in Helsinki, Finland, then performing in Rattvik, Sweden; Copenhagen in Denmark; Berlin in Germany; and Brussels in Belgium.
The English trip hop band was formed in Bristol in 1988 by Del Naja, Grant “Daddy G” Marshall, Adrian “Tricky” Thaws and Andrew “Mushroom” Vowles.
As of 2025, the group consists only of Del Naja and Marshall.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed their officers have so far arrested 212 people at the Trafalgar Square demonstration – all on suspicion of showing support for a proscribed organisation.
The ages of those arrested range from 27 to 82, the force said.