Thousands march in London pro-Palestine protest amid police conditions

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 10 Oct, 13:24 · Archive

Between 7,000 and 10,000 pro-Palestine demonstrators marched through central London on Saturday, organised by the Palestine Coalition. The march formed on the Embankment at midday and proceeded via Westminster Bridge, York Road, Waterloo Bridge and the Strand to Whitehall, with a rally concluding by 6.30pm. Speeches and music were required to end by 5.30pm.

The Metropolitan Police imposed conditions on the event, which took place days after the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks on Israel. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Carl Galvin said the force's presence would be 'significant' and that the timing meant the event 'has the potential to have a greater impact on communities than the previous national marches'. Police used powers under the Public Order Act to require anyone wearing face coverings to remove them if deliberately concealing their identity, with the power to arrest those who refused.

Mr Galvin said officers would arrest people 'if we see groups of people who refuse and are covering their faces with the intention to hide their identity, intimidate and commit offences', but added that 'for individual cases, officers must carefully assess why a person is wearing a mask and respond in a measured way'. Stop the Hate UK also organised a counter-protest, releasing a statement in which the group said: 'Jewish people have the same rights as everyone else in this country: to assemble, to protest, to be heard.'

How it is being reported

• Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters march through London just days after October 7 anniversary as police warn anyone covering their face could be arrestedThe Met Police expect up to 10,000 demonstrators will attend a pro-Palestine march through London today, which takes place just days after the third anniversary of October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas.Daily Mail · 10 Oct, 13:12
• London protests LIVE: Thousands expected at huge pro-Palestine march and counter-demo on EmbankmentNational March for Palestine and Stop the Hate counter-protest taking place days after third anniversary of October 7 attacks on IsraelEvening Standard · 10 Oct, 09:38
• Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters to march through LondonThe force anticipate between 7,000 and 10,000 demonstrators will attend the pro-Palestine march.Evening Standard · 10 Oct, 09:18

In this story: Metropolitan Police · Palestine Coalition · Stop the Hate UK · Carl Galvin · London · Israel

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