Clashes erupted between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and police in central London on Saturday, as thousands took part in a march protesting the treatment of Palestinians in Gaza, days after the third anniversary of October 7.
Many people in the procession carried Palestinian flags, while placards and banners voiced solidarity with civilians in Gaza.
Tensions intensified on Victoria Embankment when officers moved to make a series of arrests. Protesters confronted police and scuffled with them, repeatedly demanding that those detained be released.
The Metropolitan Police said a man and a woman were among those arrested after allegedly carrying placards expressing support for Palestine Action.
The force also detained “a number of” people on suspicion of criminal damage after activists were seen on top of the Battle of Britain memorial.
The Met placed conditions on both the Palestine Coalition’s march and a counter-protest, saying the measures were intended to “minimise the risk of serious disruption to communities”.
Police expected between 7,000 and 10,000 people to attend, with demonstrators beginning to gather at Embankment around midday. Officers warned that anyone refusing to remove a face covering could face arrest.
Shortly after 2pm, police entered a group of activists and began detaining individuals.
The arrests took place as thousands marched past the Metropolitan Police headquarters. Some protesters shouted “shame on you” towards a smaller group of pro-Israel demonstrators.
As the confrontation grew more heated, officers pulled one man away from the crowd, triggering further disorder nearby.
Police surrounded at least two protesters, restraining them on the ground before making arrests. More activists then gathered around the officers, including several carrying flags linked to the Revolutionary Communist Party.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators and police clashed in central London on Saturday as thousands marched over the treatment of Palestinians in Gaza, days after the third anniversary of October 7
Officers struggled to hold a protective line after removing several protesters from the demonstration
Metropolitan Police officers confront pro-Palestinian protesters in London on Saturday
Officers moved into a crowd of activists shortly after 2pm to detain several people
Police detain a man outside the Metropolitan Police headquarters
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators filled central London streets to mark three years since the start of the war in Gaza
An officer pulls a protester from the crowd on Victoria Embankment on Saturday afternoon
A surge of activity followed as protesters confronted police during arrests
Clashes followed the arrests of several activists, as protesters, including people carrying Revolutionary Communist Party flags, surrounded police
The force anticipated between 7,000 and 10,000 demonstrators will attend the pro-Palestine march, which gathered at Embankment around midday
A woman is arrested by police during the pro-Palestine march through central London today
Despite having a protective cordon of officers in place, small pockets of violence broke out as protesters appeared to push and shove through, as chants of ‘let them go’ were heard.
Abuse was shouted towards officers, who drew their batons to force the crowd back.
After one man was hauled to his feet, a man livestreaming the event asked him: ‘What have you been arrested for?’
‘I punched him in the face,’ the protester replied.
Shouts included ‘f*** the police’ and ‘shame on you’, with anti-police chants from the recent riots in France also heard.
As reinforcements arrived, officers were able to forcibly push activists back to remove the arrested individuals from the scene.
In an update issues shortly afterwards, the Met said: ‘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.’
Deputy 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.’
Mr Galvin, who is leading the policing operation this weekend, said the force’s presence on Saturday will be ‘significant’.
‘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.
Under the act, the police have the power to arrest someone who refuses to remove a mask, he added.
The scene at the Battle of Britain memorial in central London on Saturday, after police and protesters scuffled
A police officer draws his baton as they formed a protective line for arrests to take place on Saturday
Thousands lined the streets for a pro-Palestine march in central London, pictured here passing Big Ben
People waved Palestinian flags and banners and chanted as they moved along the streets
Up to 10,000 demonstrators are expected to take part in the National March For Palestine
Protesters have been warned they could be arrested if they refuse to remove face masks
A counter protest by Stop The Hate also gathered outside New Scotland Yard
The march is taking place just three days after the third anniversary of October 7 was marked
Pro-Palestine protesters hold placards calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza
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 has imposed conditions on the march and requires 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 is also due to take place outside New Scotland Yard on Saturday, with the force saying it has been in contact with representatives from the group.
The force has also imposed conditions on the demonstration ‘to minimise the risk of serious disruption’.
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 was also expected to take place in Edinburgh today.