Thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators have begun marching through central London this afternoon, just days after the third anniversary of October 7.
The Metropolitan Police has imposed conditions on the event, which is organised by the Palestine Coalition, and a counter protest, to ‘minimise the risk of serious disruption to communities’.
The force anticipates between 7,000 and 10,000 demonstrators will attend the pro-Palestine march, which gathered at Embankment around midday.
Protesters have been warned they could be arrested if they refuse to remove face masks.
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.
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 has begun gathering outside New Scotland Yard
A woman is arrested by police during the pro-Palestine march through central London today
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.
