Massive Anti-War March Converges on US Embassy in London
Thousands of protesters descended upon the US Embassy in central London on Saturday, vociferously demanding an immediate cessation of American and Israeli military strikes against Iran. The demonstration, organised under the banner 'Hands off Iran', saw a diverse coalition of activist groups, including the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), Stop The War, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the Muslim Association of Britain, the Palestinian Forum in Britain, and Friends Of Al-Aqsa, lead the procession from Millbank near Westminster.
Participants brandished a sea of placards with stark messages such as "Stop Trump’s Wars", "Stop the War on Iran", "Stop Arming Israel", and "No War on Iran". Many also carried Iranian and Palestinian flags, alongside portraits of Iran’s former supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, who was killed in the initial strike of the conflict the previous Saturday. Notably, some placards referenced the controversial figure Jeffrey Epstein, adding a layer of broader political critique to the event.
Political Figures Echo Calls for Peace and Accountability
Addressing the crowd outside the embassy, Your Party MP Zarah Sultana delivered a powerful speech, drawing direct parallels to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. "Back then, we were told that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction," she declared. "We were told that war would bring peace and democracy. We were told that the war would protect Iraqis and protect the world, but the truth was very different." The former Labour MP for Coventry South emphasised that the protesters would not be marginalised again, stating, "We will not be ignored again, because history proved them right, and today, we raise our voices for peace, for justice and for a world where governments learn the lessons of the past."
A statement from former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who was unable to attend, was read aloud to the assembled demonstrators. In it, Corbyn, now an independent MP, asserted, "In 2003, hundreds of thousands of us protested against the illegal invasion of Iraq, and we were ignored, but we are here today to say loudly and clearly: do not drag Britain into another illegal war." He criticised the UK's foreign policy, arguing it has too often blindly followed the US into catastrophic interventions, and called for a new approach based on cooperation, equality, and sovereignty. "Forever war is not a game. It has real-life human consequences, and US and Israel must be held accountable for their prize," he added.
Police Presence and Arrests During the Demonstration
According to a police officer accompanying the march, an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 people participated in the procession from Millbank to the US embassy. The Metropolitan Police had increased patrols beforehand and imposed specific conditions on the protest, including a designated route and a requirement to conclude the post-march rally by 5pm. In an update on social media, the Met confirmed several arrests: one woman in her 60s was detained on suspicion of inciting racial hatred related to a placard, while three others were arrested for possession of an offensive weapon, racially aggravated public order offences in relation to a chant, and violent disorder connected to an incident in Maida Vale the previous day.
As the march progressed, tensions flared briefly when groups holding Israeli flags lined Millbank. Some protesters shouted "shame on you" and "murderers" towards them, with retorts of "you’re wrong" and "you’re in denial" echoing back. Leading demonstrators chanted, "We are the people. We won’t be silenced. Stop the bombing now, now, now, now."
Protesters Voice Solidarity and Condemn Illegal Actions
Among the attendees was Daniela Costa, a 30-year-old Brazilian student residing in London, who expressed her solidarity. "I’m from Brazil. I just came here to show solidarity, both to Iran and Palestine, but also to Cuba and Venezuela," she said. Costa emphasised the urgency of the moment, stating, "I just feel that we can’t just live as if it’s just business as usual at this moment. I expect that this protest will show the UK government that they don’t have popular support to participate in the war in any way, such as providing weapons or providing their … military bases to the US."
Martin Perry, a 58-year-old from Northampton, highlighted concerns over international law. "Because the acts against Iran are against international law, and it’s just a pattern of events, decisions taken by America and Israel, that are destroying international law," he explained. Perry aimed to send a clear message to political leaders, adding, "I’m here today to signal to Keir Starmer that the public aren’t for the war against Iran, and don’t want our forces going into, being involved in an illegal war."
The organisers announced that a subsequent march "against the far right" is scheduled for 28 March in central London, indicating ongoing activist mobilisation.
