AN enormous protest in London with activists calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza is underway.
Between 200,000 and 250,000 people were expected to gather for the demonstration, according to a spokesman for the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, with the march kicking off at 1.30pm south of Marble Arch in central London.
Demonstrators held banners calling for a “ceasefire now” and chanted “free, free Palestine” in the streets of the capital.
Among those attending the protest was former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (below).
READ MORE: Thousands of Scots take part in Glasgow pro-Palestine march
The Metropolitan Police said the start time allowed for a synagogue event to finish.
Police have arrested one person on suspicion of support for a proscribed organisation.
The force posted on X, formerly Twitter, just before 1pm on Saturday, saying: “The march is forming up at the south of Park Lane.
“It will not set off until 1.30pm.
“There has been one arrest so far on suspicion of support for a proscribed organisation in relation to a placard.”
Around 1500 police officers from forces across the UK are set to be on public order duties during the demonstration.
The march set off along Park Lane and will continue to Knightsbridge and Kensington Road ending at the junction with Kensington Court where speeches will take place.
Speakers will address crowds near the Israeli embassy and they must stop by 5pm, while protesters must leave by 6pm, police said.
Saturday’s demonstration, calling for an immediate ceasefire, will be the second time since the October 7 attacks that a pro-Palestine protest has taken place near the Israeli embassy.
The Met said “there will be some who ask why” a decision to allow the protest so close to the embassy was allowed but that it is a “common misconception” that forces can allow or refuse permission for a protest to take place.
A static rally was held near the embassy on October 9.
“A real risk of serious disorder” sufficient for the Met to request that the Home Secretary ban the protest has not been seen at recent demonstrations and is not expected on Saturday, it added.
Protesters will be kept more than 100m away from the embassy grounds, behind barriers controlled by officers and face arrest if they do not do so.
Conditions under Section 12 of the Public Order Act meaning that any person participating in the march must not deviate from the route.
Police have also said no gazebos or other stalls can be erected in a specified area at Marble Arch.
The use of further police powers will be kept under review.
At least 28,663 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Israel began its military operation in the strip in October in response to the October 7 attacks, where militants killed some 1200 people and took another 250 hostage.
Israel is being urged not to send ground forces into Rafah on the Egyptian border, where many of the strip’s citizens are now living after areas closer to their homes became engulfed by fighting.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel