- Violence mars pro-Palestinian march.
- Hate crimes investigated, arrests made.
- Calls for Gaza ceasefire persist.
“Extreme violence from right-wing protesters,” who, according to the Metropolitan Police, intended to confront the pro-Palestinian march on Saturday, was met with condemnation.
A grand majority of the 145 individuals arrested were counter-protesters, of which the “vast majority” were injured officers.
Although the march itself did not witness such acts of physical violence, the police stated that they were investigating serious antisemitic hate crimes.
The Prime Minister stated that criminals must be punished with the full force of the law.
Rishi Sunak expressed strong disapproval of the violent and completely intolerable scenes that transpired on Sunday at the National March for Palestine, which were witnessed by members of the EDL (English Defence League), affiliated organisations, and Hamas sympathisers.
Individuals who have elected to disagree in a peaceful manner are undermined by the abhorrent conduct of a minority.
“EDL thugs attacking police and trespassing on the Cenotaph” war memorial, he continued, had dishonoured the honour of the United Kingdom’s armed forces.
Diwali Pro-Palestinian Demonstration
Situated on Armistice Day, the pro-Palestinian demonstration in central London witnessed an estimated 300,000 individuals marching in support of a Gaza ceasefire.
It was the largest rally in the United Kingdom since the Israeli-Hamas conflict began on October 7.
Police announced on Sunday that seven individuals, ranging in age from 23 to 75, had been charged with assault, weapon possession, criminal damage, disturbing public order, inciting racial hatred, and drug possession.
The individuals who were accused were from various regions of the United Kingdom, such as West Lothian, Norfolk, Flintshire, Kent, and Manchester.
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During the operation on Sunday to prevent a disturbance of the peace, law enforcement personnel apprehended dozens of individuals, including a considerable proportion of counter-protesters who were apprehended on Tachbrook Street in Pimlico while attempting to engage the primary pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Since then, they have been released.
Police stated that those who were apprehended for reasons other than a disturbance of the peace are currently being tried for those transgressions.
Investigations are ongoing, according to the authority, into a number of additional incidents.
Community Tensions
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist stated on Sunday that the march occurred in the midst of remembrance events, conflict in the Middle East, and a “week of intense debate” regarding policing and protest, all of which “collectively escalated community tensions.”
Nine officers were injured when counter-protesters clashed with law enforcement along Whitehall and in Chinatown on Sunday, in an incident he described as “extraordinary and deeply concerning.”
He stated that although they had arrived early and claimed to be there to safeguard monuments. Some of them were already intoxicated, belligerent, and obviously seeking conflict.
As they guarded the Cenotaph, officers were subjected to abuse and chants of “You’re no longer English!”
Numerous members of these groups, which consisted primarily of football hooligans from across the United Kingdom, were detained and inspected. Class A drugs and weapons such as a knife, baton, and knuckleduster were discovered.
The assistant commissioner further stated that although the pro-Palestinian march “did not witness the type of physical violence perpetrated by the right wing,” it was evident that hate crimes, specifically antisemitic offences, have an equally significant impact on Jewish communities.
Investigation and Suspects
He stated that an investigation was underway into “a number of serious offences identified in relation to hate crimes and possible support for proscribed organisations” that occurred during the demonstration.
Five photographs of six individuals suspected of committing hate crimes were released by the police.
Sunday’s policing operation was led by Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, who stated, “We strongly urge anyone with footage or photographs showcasing additional potential crimes or information regarding the identities of suspects to contact us immediately so we can take the necessary measures.
A woman holds a poster with a Swastika and the Jewish star of David.
In another location, social media footage captured police officers escorting Michael Gove through London’s Victoria Station while crowds brandishing Palestinian flags yelled “Shame on you.”
The Levelling Up Secretary commented on the incident on Sunday, praising law enforcement for their “extraordinary efforts in ensuring my safe return home on Sunday.”
A single live stream from a police helicopter showed a tavern window patron’s remaining drinks.
The crowd shouted “free Palestine” and “ceasefire now” as the pro-Palestinian march began in London’s Hyde Park.
The march, which was orchestrated by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, traversed an approximate distance of 2.5 miles, from the Hilton Hotel in Park Lane to the US Embassy in Nine Elms, at one juncture.
Demands for a Gaza Ceasefire
A demonstrator stated, “A moratorium is what we demand. “Under the rubble, people are suffering and children are dying, and it appears that no one is concerned about them.”
An additional protester stated, “I believe Sunday is the ideal time to carry it out.” Because an armistice is precisely that: a request for an end to hostilities and a cessation of hostilities.”
The Metropolitan Police issued a request for information on Sunday concerning recordings captured at the Waterloo and Victoria stations that allegedly depicted “deplorable mistreatment, including the use of antisemitic language and threatening conduct.”
On Remembrance Sunday, there are no significant protests planned. However, the policing operation will continue with approximately 1,375 officers stationed throughout the capital in support of commemorative events.
It followed a Times article this week in which Home Secretary Suella Braverman referred to the pro-Palestinian demonstrations as a “hate march” and accused the police of prejudice. She later emphasised her support for the police.
The Prime Minister trusts Mr. Braverman, and Downing Street is “looking into what happened” with the Times report.
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