More than 70 pro-Palestinian demonstrators were arrested during a rally in central London on Saturday, just hours before a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip was set to take effect.
The Metropolitan Police reported that arrests were made on various grounds, including breaches of protest conditions, assault, obstruction of police, and alleged support for a proscribed organization. Police alleged that some protesters intended to move beyond the designated rally zone in Whitehall, where the main government offices are located, toward restricted areas such as Trafalgar Square.
A police statement accused the rally organizer, the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign (PSC), of orchestrating a “coordinated effort” to breach the protest's permitted perimeter. Protesters reportedly carried placards with messages like “Stop arming Israel” and “Gaza, stop the massacre,” alongside chants of “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”
Metropolitan Police Commander Adam Slonecki characterized the arrests as a response to what he described as the “most significant escalation in criminality” during recent protests. Slonecki added, “Investigations are now underway, and we will make every effort to bring prosecutions against those involved.”
Participants in the rally expressed their commitment to ensuring the ceasefire holds and highlighted the need for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza. Ben, a 36-year-old union worker, said, “We need to apply pressure to make that ceasefire hold.” Linda Plant, a retiree, voiced cautious optimism, stating, “We’re delighted there’s a ceasefire, but we know the history of past violations.”
The rally comes amid heightened tensions following prolonged conflict in Gaza. Israel agreed to a ceasefire earlier in the week after failing to achieve key objectives in its military campaign, including the elimination of Hamas. Many demonstrators called for increased international efforts to rebuild Gaza and address ongoing humanitarian crises. Photo by Julian Stallabrass from London, UK, Wikimedia commons.
