Several arrests have been made as thousands of people descended on London for a pro-Palestine protest. Demonstrators, many wearing keffiyehs, and some with Palestine flags, gathered on the Embankment and marched to Whitehall where a rally was held.
Counter-protest and arrests
A counter-protest by Stop The Hate also took place, with about 30 people gathered outside New Scotland Yard. As demonstrators on the pro-Palestine march passed the counter-protesters, the group from Stop The Hate chanted “Shame on you” – but were drowned out by the louder chants from the larger group. The groups were separated by metal barriers and a line of police officers.
Some 20 arrests have been made so far, including a woman and a man alleged to be with placards declaring support for proscribed organisation Palestine Action, police said. The protest went by largely peacefully, but there were some clashes with police when protesters climbed on to the Battle of Britain memorial on Victoria Embankment.
Police conditions and legal powers
Of the 20 people arrested, the Metropolitan Police said six were for criminal damage after climbing onto the Battle of Britain memorial, two for refusing to remove their face covering when asked by police and two for displaying placards supporting proscribed organisation Palestine Action. The Met imposed conditions on the event, which was organised by the Palestine Coalition, and the counter-protest, to “minimise the risk of serious disruption to communities”. Protesters were warned that they could be arrested if they refuse to remove face masks, and officers were seen asking demonstrators to take off face coverings.
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,” Mr Galvin continued. Under the act, the police have the power to arrest someone who refuses to remove a mask, he added.
Rally and speakers
He said: “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.”
The group marched from Embankment to Westminster Bridge, York Road, Waterloo Bridge and The Strand before gathering for the rally on Whitehall, which ended shortly before 5pm. Among speakers at the rally was former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn MP, who was greeted with large cheers from the crowd. He said recent sanctions by the Government on illegal West Bank settlements were a result of “our demonstrations, our marches”. Organisers estimated that 250,000 people took part in the march.
Counter-protest conditions
Conditions were also imposed on the counter-protest, which police said was “to minimise the risk of serious disruption”. The demonstrators had 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.
