Roger Waters Faces Legal Risk Supporting Banned Palestine Action Group

Roger Waters, co-founder of Pink Floyd, has publicly declared his support for the recently banned group Palestine Action, which the UK government designated as a terrorist organization. In a video posted on July 5, 2025, Waters called Palestine Action a “great organisation” and “nonviolent,” denouncing the UK Parliament as corrupted by what he called “agents of a genocidal foreign power” and declaring independence from the UK government for proscribing the group. Waters’ statements come after the UK banned Palestine Action following the group’s involvement in damaging military equipment linked to Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems. The designation makes public support for the group a criminal offense, punishable by up to 14 years in prison, prompting the Campaign Against Antisemitism to prepare legal action against Waters. Waters, a longtime advocate for Palestinian rights and vocal critic of Israeli policies, described the ban as a betrayal of justice and democracy and urged supporters to stand firm, framing the moment as an “I am Spartacus” act of defiance. His support has intensified debates around the UK’s crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism and raised questions about freedom of expression and anti-terror legislation.