At least 300,000 people marched through the British capital on Saturday demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. London’s Metropolitan Police reported at least 126 arrests during clashes with counter-protesters that left nine officers injured.
The largely peaceful crowd sang “liberate Palestine,” “now a ceasefire” And ‘From the river to the sea Palestine will be free’ as they marched through the streets of London. The largest demonstration to date took place on Armistice Day.
Ahead of the pro-Palestinian march, a group of right-wing demonstrators, consisting mainly of football hooligans from across the United Kingdom, arrived in central London under the pretext of protecting monuments. “were already drunk, aggressive and clearly looking for confrontation,” Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said in a statement.
The violent crowd that sang ‘You are no longer English,’ Insults rained down on the officers, who protected the Cenotaph and prevented counter-protesters from confronting pro-Palestinian activists.
Police standoff in Belgravia, London, as anti-Israel protests turn violent — Video by: @MrAndyNgo pic.twitter.com/Imp0oZVBKY
— The Post-Millennial (@TPostMillennial) November 11, 2023
Chants of “Allahu akbar” rang out through the Victoria area of central London as demonstrators from the “Million Man March” continued their evening protest after demonstrating against the US embassy. #Remembrance Day. #Veterans Day #ArmisticeDay pic.twitter.com/mARrtyhoUx
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) November 12, 2023
“Nine officers were injured during the day, two of whom required hospital treatment with a broken elbow and a suspected dislocated hip. Those officers were injured on Whitehall when they prevented a violent crowd from reaching the Cenotaph while a memorial service was taking place. the police said, adding: “The extreme violence by right-wing demonstrators against police today was extraordinary and deeply worrying.”
London opened its borders to mass immigration and imported millions of Muslims. They now wonder why there are so many demonstrators defending the Islamic cause.
Imagine if white Christians mobilized in this way to protest their own genocide and replacement in their own homes… pic.twitter.com/X3zYJ548au
— Lauren Witzke (@LaurenWitzkeDE) November 11, 2023
The Palestinian Solidarity Campaign, which organizers said was at least 500,000 strong, “I didn’t see the kind of physical violence from the right wing,” According to the police, a fringe group of about 150 masked people was intercepted while setting off fireworks. Several arrests were made “after some of the fireworks hit officers in the face,” the police said.
The unrest follows debate earlier this week over whether pro-Palestinian protests should be allowed on Armistice Day, which is celebrated in Britain with two minutes of silence during the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th, marking the end of the First World War is marked. 1918.
Interior Minister Suella Braverman was accused of stoking tensions by calling for pro-Palestinian demonstrations ‘hate marches’, while accusing the police of bias for allowing the rally to go ahead.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the clashes were “encouraged and encouraged” by senior politicians “such as the Minister of the Interior” and were one “immediate result” of her words.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak convicted the violence and hatred on both sides, and called out the nations “getting together” to remember “Those who fought and died for our freedom.”