Huge crowd expected at pro-Palestine rally in London
LONDON: Thousands of protesters are expected to attend a pro-Palestinian march in London on Saturday, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak criticizing the rally as disrespectful and raising concerns it could incite violence on Remembrance Day for war veterans. .
The “national march for Palestine” is the fourth to be held in the British capital since Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, but ministers have said it should be canceled because it coincides with Armistice Day, which marks the world’s Symbolizes the end of the war. One, and commemoration for those killed in military action.
Police have said they will have about 2,000 officers on duty, vowing to crack down on any disturbances caused by people attending the march or protests by right-wing groups and veterans.
The officer in charge, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Lawrence Taylor, said, “I am confident that if the groups came together, there would be serious disorder.”
“The police operation this weekend is huge,” he told reporters, adding that it would be “challenging and stressful”.
There has been strong support and sympathy for Israel from Western governments, including Britain, and many citizens over Hamas attacks. But the Israeli response has also fueled anger, with weekly protests in London demanding a ceasefire.
Organizers of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign said Saturday’s march would move from the Cenotaph war memorial near Sunak’s Downing Street office and end at the US embassy about two miles away.
Police have said they will impose an exclusion zone around areas associated with the commemoration events, while an unprecedented 24-hour police patrol has been imposed on the Cenotaph from Thursday.
“We could potentially have one of the biggest marches in British political history, but I would say with confidence that it will be attended by hundreds of thousands of people,” PCS director Ben Jamal told Reuters.
“Politicians can only ignore important bodies of public opinion for so long.”
‘Hate mongers’
While previous PSC marches have been generally peaceful, there have been more than 100 arrests for offenses including showing support for Hamas, which is banned as a terrorist organization in Britain, or carrying placards with offensive slogans.
Three women appeared in court on Friday charged with terrorism offenses for supporting Hamas by wearing paraglider images, and police say the behavior of breakaway groups at rallies has become more violent.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who is in charge of policing, has sparked controversy by calling protesters “hate marchers”, and Sunak has come under pressure from his own MPs to sack her after she accused the police of accompanying them. Was accused of double standards in behaviour. Pro-Palestinian mob”.
The Prime Minister himself has said that Saturday’s protest was disgraceful but should be allowed to go ahead, although he said he would hold London’s police chief responsible for the security of the commemoration events.
Lawmakers have expressed concerns that far-right groups would seek to use the occasion as an excuse for violence.
Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, the former co-leader of the English Defense League, which has often carried out violent protests against Islam, has called on his supporters to gather en masse in the capital.
“We want to show the world that British people don’t have it,” Yaxley-Lennon, who is known as Tommy Robinson, said on a social media video. “So… I hope to see as many of you as possible in London this Saturday.”
DAC Taylor said police were hoping to stop the trouble, but clashes were likely.
“There will be times this weekend where you’re going to see confrontational situations, despite everything I’ve done to deal with the situations and deal with them,” he said.
“I hope we don’t do that, but I think you’ll see police use force to handle some of the situations we have to deal with.”
