Central London experienced major disruption on Wednesday as thousands of pro-Palestine protesters descended upon Westminster, bringing traffic to a complete halt around the Houses of Parliament.
The massive demonstration saw participants block Westminster Bridge, Lambeth Bridge, and surrounding roads in a coordinated act of civil disobedience. Organisers from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign stated the action was designed to maximum impact on the political heart of the UK.
Commuters Face Travel Chaos
Commuters and tourists found themselves caught in the gridlock as the protest escalated during the evening rush hour. Bus routes were severely affected, with multiple services diverted or stuck in the extensive delays.
One frustrated taxi driver commented: "I've been stuck here for over an hour. They've completely blocked the bridges - nobody can move anywhere near Parliament Square."
Police Response and Arrests
Metropolitan Police officers were deployed in significant numbers to manage the situation. Scotland Yard confirmed multiple arrests were made throughout the demonstration.
A police spokesperson stated: "We're aware of protesters blocking roads in the Westminster area. Officers are on scene engaging with organisers and managing traffic disruption."
Protesters' Demands
The demonstration was part of an ongoing series of protests calling for:
- An immediate ceasefire in Gaza
- Increased humanitarian aid access
- An end to UK arms sales to Israel
- Political action from the UK government
One protester, Sarah Jenkins, explained: "We need to make our voices impossible to ignore. When business as usual stops, politicians have to listen."
The protest eventually dispersed around 8 PM, but not before causing hours of significant disruption to one of London's busiest districts.
