Police clamp down on counter-protesters at London's pro-Palestinian march
Amidst the solemn two minutes silence for Armistice Day at London's Cenotaph, a vibrant pro-Palestinian march took place, drawing huge crowds and setting the stage for a powerful display of solidarity with Palestine
A "large group" of counter protesters in London has been detained by the police following clashes that erupted when they attempted to confront a sizable pro-Palestinian rally on Saturday. The Metropolitan Police reported encountering aggression from the counter protestors, who were present in significant numbers in the vicinity. This march could potentially be the largest demonstration seen since the commencement of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The police stated that they would employ all available powers and tactics to prevent the counter protesters from confronting the pro-Palestinian march. The Metropolitan Police has implemented a significant police presence, deploying over 2,000 officers across the streets of London.
Far-right protesters caused disruptions during the traditional two-minute silence observed on Armistice Day at a war memorial in central London. People gathered at the Cenotaph monument, a significant site for Britain's Remembrance Day, to honor the memory of those who lost their lives in conflicts.
In Whitehall, the London district where the Prime Minister and government departments reside, a group of far-right protestors attempted to forcefully invade the war memorial, which had been designated as an exclusion zone for its protection. The CNN team present on site witnessed the commotion and noticed a significant police presence. Tommy Robinson, a far-right organizer, spearheaded a raucous but relatively small demonstration in an effort to reach this symbolic landmark.
During the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, it has been a longstanding tradition in the UK to honor the end of World War I in 1918 by observing a two-minute silence when the sound of gunfire ceased.
Attendees pay their respects at the Cenotaph ahead of a pro-Palestinian rally.
Carlos Jasso/Bloomberg/Getty Images
A video shared by the anti-racist group Hope Not Hate depicted instances of far-right protestors, clad in black attire, pushing against the police lines at different locations in Whitehall. This unrest ensued amidst a political dispute concerning the pro-Palestinian demonstrations earlier in the week, during which Britain's Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, deviated from her prepared remarks to criticize the police for their perceived leniency towards the protestors.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak initially tried to halt the pro-Palestinian protest from proceeding. However, despite this, he eventually acknowledged that the march would still occur. Yet, Sunak remained steadfast in his belief that organizing the protest during this specific weekend is not only disrespectful but also undermines our deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by those who have fought for our freedom and peace today.
