Several arrests have been made as thousands of people descended on London for a pro-Palestine protest. Demonstrators, many wearing keffiyehs and some carrying Palestine flags, gathered on the Embankment and marched to Whitehall, where a rally is taking place.
Arrests and incidents
The Metropolitan Police reported that a woman and a man were arrested on suspicion of displaying placards declaring support for proscribed organisation Palestine Action. A number of protesters were also arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after climbing onto the Battle of Britain memorial on Victoria Embankment.
In a post on X, the Met said: “The front of the procession has now entered Whitehall where a rally will take place. Several arrests have been made so far including a woman and a man with placards declaring support for proscribed organisation Palestine Action. We have also arrested a number of protesters on suspicion of criminal damage after they climbed onto the Battle of Britain memorial on Victoria Embankment. We are aware of social media footage of other possible offences being committed at the protest. Officers on the ground are assessing and investigating.”
Police conditions and warnings
The Metropolitan Police has imposed conditions on the event, organised by the Palestine Coalition, and on the counter-protest by Stop The Hate, to “minimise the risk of serious disruption to communities”. Protesters have been warned they could be arrested if they refuse to remove face masks.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Carl Galvin said: “We know Saturday’s event, so close to the third anniversary of the terror attack on Israel, has the potential to have a greater impact on communities than the previous national marches. We will also be using powers under the Public Order Act requiring anyone in the protest area wearing face coverings to deliberately conceal their identity to remove them.”
Under the act, police have the power to arrest anyone who refuses to remove a mask. Mr Galvin added: “And we will do so if we see groups of people who refuse and are covering their faces with the intention to hide their identity, intimidate and commit offences. That is unacceptable. But for individual cases, officers must carefully assess why a person is wearing a mask and respond in a measured way.”
March route and counter-protest
The Met has required the march to travel via Westminster Bridge, York Road, Waterloo Bridge and The Strand on to Whitehall, with a rally concluding by 6.30pm. Any speeches and music must conclude by 5.30pm.
A counter-protest by Stop The Hate also took place, with about 30 people gathered outside New Scotland Yard, some with flags. The force has imposed conditions on that demonstration, requiring participants to remain within a designated area outside the Met’s headquarters, with the assembly concluding at 2.30pm.
The Palestine Coalition organising the march includes Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War, CND, Muslim Association of Britain, Friends of Al Aqsa and Palestinian Forum in Britain. A National March for Palestine is also due to take place in Edinburgh from 1pm on Saturday.
