The Metropolitan Police have imposed strict conditions on a large Pro-Palestine march being held in central London on Saturday.
Up to 10,000 people are expected to attend the National March for Palestine, organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, marking three years since the start of the war in Gaza.
Conditions to minimise disruption
The Met Police said on Friday it had imposed strict conditions on the protest in a bid to “minimise the risk of serious disruption to communities.”
It has warned anyone wearing face-coverings they face arrest and there will be a zero tolerance approach to hate crime and other offences.
Meanwhile a counter pro-Israel Stop the Hate demonstration is also planned. The Metropolitan Police said it is considering whether to impose conditions on the protest and is in dialogue with the organisers.
Clashes and arrests
It comes after clashes between protesters during demonstrations in central London on Wednesday to mark the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks. Eleven people were arrested in total for offences linked to protests held on the day in central London.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Carl Galvin, who is leading the policing operation this weekend, said: “Ahead of the protest we have been in constructive discussion with the Palestine Coalition, as well as partners, residents, businesses, faith and community groups. 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.
“The Met’s aim is to protect the lawful right to protest while minimising the impact on those who live, work and visit London. Our policing presence on the day will be significant, with conditions imposed on the events.”
He warned officers had powers to arrest anyone covering their face and pushed back on claims of ‘two tier’ policing over face coverings.
He said on some occasions “an arrest may not be the most appropriate course of action in that moment. This is not ‘two-tier policing’ - it is officers exercising professional judgement and acting proportionately based on the facts before them.”
Route and rally details
Organisers of the National March for Palestine are calling for an immediate end to military action in Gaza, a complete halt to UK arms exports to Israel and the introduction of sanctions.
Coaches are being organised from cities across the UK, including Bristol, Manchester and Coventry, to bring demonstrators to central London for the major protest.
The march will form up on the Embankment at midday. Conditions have been imposed that it must then travel via Westminster Bridge, York Road, Waterloo Bridge and the Strand onto Whitehall. A rally in Whitehall must conclude by 6.30pm.
Anyone participating in the event must remain within the red shaded area of Embankment on the map until such time as the procession commences along the prescribed route. Anyone participating in the procession must not deviate from the route specified, namely Victoria Embankment, Westminster Bridge, York Road, Waterloo Bridge, Strand, Whitehall.
When a rally is held in Whitehall at the end of the march, anyone participating must remain within the red shaded area on the map. Any speeches or music as part of the assembly must conclude by 5.30pm, and the rally conclude by 6.30pm.
