A march in the capital in support of a truce between Israel and Hamas resulted in arrests all day. The prime minister condemned the disruptive actions of both pro-Palestinian and far-right protesters.
Police detained approximately 150 pro-Palestinian demonstrators who dispersed from a London march. The incident occurred during the week.
According to the Metropolitan Police, the group discharged pyrotechnics while a significant number of its members wore face coverings.
The force subsequently added that some officers were injured when the fireworks struck them in the face. “Officers are using their Section 60 and 60AA powers to detain and search those involved,” the post stated on X.
Assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Matt Twist said in a statement on Saturday night that officers remained stationed throughout central London “responding to outbreaks of disorder and ensuring the security of key sites” prior to the remembrance events on Sunday.
Far-Right Counterprotesters Apprehended
“To prevent a disturbance of the peace,” 82 far-right counterprotesters were apprehended in Pimlico, central London, earlier in the day.
“Those detained were part of a large group of counterprotestors we have been monitoring who attempted to reach the main protest march,” according to the force.
The police estimated 300,000 pro-Palestinian protesters marched through downtown London on Armistice Day. Several politicians had recommended that the march be called off.
Arrests and Confrontations Continue
Police reported 10 more arrests for possession of offensive weapons, affray, and assaulting a police officer.
Thus far, 126 individuals have been apprehended, according to Mr. Twist.
The incidents that were witnessed today were deemed “violent and completely unacceptable,” as condemned by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
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“What we saw today does not defend the honour of our Armed Forces,” he told X. Rather, it thoroughly disrespects them.”
Mr. Sunak denounced far-right demonstrators as “EDL (English Defence League) thugs” and criticised those who participated in the pro-Palestinian march by “speechifying antisemitic chants and brandishing pro-Hamas signs and clothing.”
“Every act of criminality must be met with the complete and immediate force of the law.” He stated, adding that he has a meeting scheduled in the coming days with Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley.
After police and a big crowd fought along Embankment, some yelled “England ’til I die.” and carried St. George’s flags.
Despite the efforts of a queue of officers to impede their progress towards Whitehall, the group managed to pass, with some members even yelling “let’s have them” in response to the officers’ use of batons.
Also throwing bottles at police were counter-demonstrators, the majority of whom were concealed behind masks.
The altercation transpired in close proximity to the Armistice Day two-minute silence, during which numerous individuals assembled at the Cenotaph at 11 a.m. to pay homage to the United Kingdom’s war deceased.
The service proceeded without any complications.
Tommy Robinson, the EDL’s founder, urged his followers to rally in the capital.
He was present in the audience alongside Calvin Robinson, a former host of GB News.
The Metropolitan Police announced on X, formerly Twitter: Although the two minutes of silence was observed in Whitehall in a dignified and incident-free manner, officers have encountered hostility from the substantial number of counter-protesters present in the vicinity.
The force stated that it “will employ every available force and strategy to prevent” the counter-protesters from approaching the main march, which is advocating for a cessation of hostilities in Israel’s conflict with the militant organisation Hamas.
Later, further confrontations ensued in Chinatown, wherein police were targeted with projectiles. And a “significant assemblage” was apprehended subsequent to unrest at Westminster Tube station.
The group of approximately one hundred individuals was reportedly being restrained with force to avert a disturbance.
The prime minister and home secretary denounced the main pro-Palestinian march for conflicting with mourning events.
At the start of the walk at Hyde Park, protesters chanted “Palestine will be liberated from the river to the sea.”
Many Jews consider the cries to be antisemitic, misinterpreting them as a demand for the destruction of Israel.
While chanting “ceasefire now,” others carried Palestinian flags and placards bearing slogans including “free Palestine” and “end the siege.”
The march’s slogans prompted former prime minister Boris Johnson to applaud the police for public safety.
“Nearly eighty years after the end of the Second World War, it is abhorrent to hear flagrantly anti-Semitic chants on the streets of London today,” he wrote in a statement regarding X. There are individuals who manifestly wish to disregard the October 7 Hamas atrocity.
“Their objective is to eradicate Israel from the globe.” For this reason, they were chanting that way today. They cannot and will not achieve success.
“I applaud the police for their ceaseless efforts to ensure public safety. However, we must all do more to combat the resurgence of an age-old hatred in Europe.” A stamp must be applied to it.
Pro-Palestinian protesters held a sit-in at Waterloo station after the march and briefly at Victoria station in the afternoon.
According to the British Transport Police, there were no arrests.
Pro-Palestinian protesters surrounded Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove at Victoria station, and footage of the incident quickly gained online traction.
As officers brought Mr. Gove through the station and shouted “return,” flag-waving protesters chanted “shame on you.”
In order to monitor the demonstrations, external forces deployed over 1,000 police officers; the Metropolitan Police estimates that 1,850 officers will be present on Saturday, and 1,375 will be on duty on Sunday.
Mr. Twist said nine police officers were hurt, two of whom were hospitalised for suspected dislocated hips and elbows.
Suella Braverman was accused of inciting tensions when she stated that the police “played favourites” when they declined to prohibit the march advocating for a cessation of hostilities between Hamas and Israel.
During a meeting with Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, Mrs. Braverman subsequently affirmed her “complete support” for the force despite censure and demands that Mr. Sunak terminate her employment.
Yvette Cooper, the opposition home secretary for the Labour Party, criticised the home secretary for condemning the day’s far-right acts of violence and antisemitic sentiment.
“The full force of the law must be applied to both acts of violence and hate crimes,” she said in a statement.
“On multiple occasions, Suella Braverman was cautioned against the perils of inciting hostility and undermining law enforcement.”
“A home secretary who disregards the security of our streets is permitted to remain in a government that has completely ceased to function as a governing body.” “Britain is superior to Rishi Sunak and his staff.”
Other cities in the United Kingdom have also witnessed pro-Palestinian demonstrations, such as Glasgow.
Police Scotland reported five men and two women arrested in Glasgow city centre demonstrations.
