Thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of central London on Saturday for a major Pro-Palestine march, marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
March Gets Underway Amid Chants and Fireworks
The protest, organised by the Palestine Coalition, commenced at approximately 12.45pm. Crowds began their journey from Hyde Park Corner, moving through Green Park and down Piccadilly towards a rally in Whitehall.
A sea of Palestine flags was visible as participants chanted slogans including 'From the sea to the river, Palestine will live forever' and 'Israel is a terrorist state'. The atmosphere was intensified by protesters setting off green and red fireworks as they progressed through the city centre.
Placards and Political Accusations
Protesters carried signs conveying strong political messages, some of which were directed at UK political figures. Placards accused Labour leader Keir Starmer of having 'blood on his hands', while others bore the message 'Stop starving Gaza'.
Some demonstrators voiced their anger towards the Defence Secretary, with chants of 'John Healey you can't hide, we charge you with genocide' echoing through the streets. The march was held to show support for the Palestinian people amidst the ongoing conflict.
Police Operation and City Impact
The Metropolitan Police, led by Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dr Alison Heydari, implemented restrictions on the demonstration. Officers were highly visible along the route to ensure public safety.
Ahead of the weekend, police had engaged with organisers and community groups to minimise disruption during a particularly busy period for the capital, which included Black Friday sales and visitors to Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland.
The police imposed a 5pm dispersal order, requiring protesters to begin leaving the area at that time. The policing operation aimed to balance the right to protest with the needs of the wider city.
