Eight people were arrested during a pro-Palestine march in central London on Saturday, the Metropolitan Police confirmed. The protest, organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), was billed as one of the largest since the outbreak of war between Hamas and Israel.
Thousands gathered in Whitehall before marching to the US embassy in Nine Elms Lane. Activists carried signs reading “Free Palestine. Exist! Resist! Return!” and “Hands off Gaza”. The march was the 24th major pro-Palestine protest in the UK since the October 7 2023 attack on Israel.
A 79-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence after allegedly making a Nazi salute towards a counter-protest area. Police said the arrest was among eight made for offences including public order breaches, criminal damage, and support for a proscribed organisation.
A counter-protest by Stop The Hate took place at the junction of Grosvenor Road and Vauxhall Bridge. The groups were separated by barriers and police officers to prevent clashes. The Met Police said it had prepared a “significant policing presence” for the event.
The protest follows a proposal by US President Donald Trump for the United States to consider taking ownership of the Gaza Strip. Speeches were held outside the US embassy after the march concluded.
