Central London witnessed an extraordinary display of public sentiment on Saturday as tens of thousands of protesters flooded the streets surrounding Parliament, creating a sea of Palestinian flags and impassioned chants calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Parliament Square Brought to Standstill
The mass demonstration saw protestors completely surrounding the Houses of Parliament, with crowds stretching from Westminster Bridge along Whitehall and spilling into neighbouring streets. The sheer volume of participants created significant disruption to traffic and transport throughout the political heart of the capital.
Chants of "Free Palestine" and "Ceasefire Now" echoed against government buildings as marchers carried banners reading "Stop the Genocide" and "End the Siege on Gaza." The atmosphere remained largely peaceful but intensely charged, with a heavy police presence monitoring the situation.
Timing Coincides with Political Pressure
The timing of this massive protest is particularly significant, coming during increased parliamentary pressure on the government to call for an immediate ceasefire. Organisers deliberately chose locations surrounding key political institutions to maximise visibility and impact on decision-makers.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as one of the largest demonstrations in recent memory focused on the Middle East conflict, with participants from diverse backgrounds and age groups united in their call for government action.
Transport and Access Disrupted
The scale of the protest caused major disruptions throughout the Westminster area, with several bus routes diverted and pedestrian access restricted around key government buildings. Police established cordons to manage the flow of protesters while ensuring security around sensitive locations.
Despite the disruptions, the demonstration maintained a largely peaceful character, with organisers working alongside law enforcement to ensure safety while amplifying their message to policymakers just metres away in the Houses of Parliament.
