Several arrests were made at a pro-Palestine protest in London on Saturday, with activists accused of damaging a war memorial. Demonstrators, many wearing keffiyehs and some carrying Palestine flags, gathered on the Embankment and marched to Whitehall, where a rally was taking place.
Police anticipate up to 10,000 marchers
The Metropolitan Police were anticipating up to 10,000 marchers. There were scuffles between officers and a group of demonstrators, while some marchers shouted 'shame on you' at a pro-Israel counter demonstration.
Police confirmed arrests had been made after the alleged damage to a memorial commemorating the Battle of Britain. Protesters were also arrested for allegedly supporting proscribed organisation Palestine Action.
Conditions imposed on the event
The Metropolitan Police had imposed conditions on the event, which is organised by the Palestine Coalition, and a counter-protest by Stop The Hate, to 'minimise the risk of serious disruption to communities'. Protesters were previously warned that they could be arrested if they refused to remove face masks.
The Metropolitan Police posted on X saying: '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.'
Context of the march
The march came three days after the third anniversary of the Hamas attack that left 1,200 Israelis dead. Retaliation by Israel has killed over 72,000 Palestinians.
Ahead of the event, 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.'
The Met imposed conditions requiring marchers to travel via Westminster Bridge, York Road, Waterloo Bridge and The Strand on to Whitehall, with the rally concluding by 6.30pm. 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 also took place in Edinburgh on Saturday.
