A couple of years ago the previous government added restrictions to peaceful protest to say they couldn't be too disruptive.
Early this year some numptys from the group Palestinian Action broke into a military base and threw paint over military aircraft. The current government classified Palestinian Action as a terrorist group in response to this. I think the general sentiment in the UK is it's fucking stupid to break into a military base and damage equipment and it's luckily they weren't shot, however it definitely doesn't meet the criteria for terrorism. The classification is currently being challenged in court.
Meanwhile people are still free to protest the genocide in Palestine but not free to support the group Palestinian Action and so people who are going to protests with signs that say Palestinian Action are getting arrested.
Hundreds of people have been arrested since for showing support for Palestinian Action specifically. And also 1 guy for supporting Plasticine Action (Stop motion animators against AI)
Yep. A lot of people seem willing to give up their rights for a bit of convenience.