Several arrests made as thousands descend on London for pro-Palestine protest

People take part in a pro-Palestine march central London (Jordan Pettitt/PA)PA WireJordan Reynolds2 minutes agoSeveral arrests have been made as thousands of people descended on London for a pro-Palestine protest.

Demonstrators, many wearing keffiyehs, and some with Palestine flags, gathered on the Embankment and marched to Whitehall where a rally is taking place.

Meanwhile, a counter-protest by Stop The Hate also took place, with about 30 people gathered outside New Scotland Yard.

Several arrests have been made so far, including a woman and a man alleged to be with placards declaring support for proscribed organisation Palestine Action, police said.

People take part in a pro-Palestine march (PA)PA WireThe Metropolitan Police posted on X saying: “The front of the procession has now entered Whitehall where a rally will take place.

“Several arrests have been made so far including a woman and a man with placards declaring support for proscribed organisation Palestine Action.

“We have also arrested a number of protesters on suspicion of criminal damage after they climbed onto the Battle of Britain memorial on Victoria Embankment.

“We are aware of social media footage of other possible offences being committed at the protest. Officers on the ground are assessing and investigating.”

The Metropolitan Police has imposed conditions on the event, which is organised by the Palestine Coalition, and the counter-protest, to “minimise the risk of serious disruption to communities”.

Protesters have been warned that they could be arrested if they refuse to remove face masks.

People taking part in a pro-Palestine march in London on Saturday(Jordan Pettitt/PA)PA WireDeputy Assistant Commissioner Carl Galvin said: “We know Saturday’s event, so close to the third anniversary of the terror attack on Israel, has the potential to have a greater impact on communities than the previous national marches.”

“We will also be using powers under the Public Order Act requiring anyone in the protest area wearing face coverings to deliberately conceal their identity to remove them,” Mr Galvin continued.

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Under the act, the police have the power to arrest someone who refuses to remove a mask, he added.

He said: “And we will do so if we see groups of people who refuse and are covering their faces with the intention to hide their identity, intimidate and commit offences. That is unacceptable.

“But for individual cases, officers must carefully assess why a person is wearing a mask and respond in a measured way.”

The Met have imposed conditions on the march and require the group to travel via Westminster Bridge, York Road, Waterloo Bridge and The Strand on to Whitehall, with a rally concluding by 6.30pm.

The force has said that any speeches and music must conclude by 5.30pm.

A counter-protest by Stop The Hate also took place, with about 30 people gathered outside New Scotland Yard, some with flags.

A counter-protest also took place on Saturday (Jordan Pettitt/PA)PA WireThe force has also imposed conditions on the demonstration “to minimise the risk of serious disruption”.

The demonstrators must remain within a designated area outside the Met’s headquarters, with the assembly concluding at 2.30pm.

The Palestine Coalition organising the march includes Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War, CND, Muslim Association of Britain, Friends of Al Aqsa and Palestinian Forum in Britain.

A National March for Palestine is also due to take place in Edinburgh from 1pm on Saturday.