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Thousands of pro-Palestinian supporters march through London near counter-protesters as Met says it has 700 police on hand to stop crime or disorder

Daily Mail Online 2024/10/5

Thousands of pro-Palestinian supporters are marching through London near counter-protesters as the Met Police says it has 700 officers on hand to stop crime or disorder.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) is holding an event from noon on Saturday and there is expected to be a counter protest by Enough is Enough in central London at the same point.

The Met has used powers to place conditions on the protests to 'ensure we minimise serious disruption to the community and balance the rights of all', the force said.

Superintendent Martin Kirby, who is leading policing in London this weekend, said: 'As always the goal is to protect the right to peaceful protest while minimising the impact of these events, including on London's Jewish communities.

'Police do not have the power to ban protest unless there is a risk of serious disorder.

Pro-Palestinian protesters march through London on Saturday holding placards
Pro-Palestinian protesters march through London on Saturday holding placards
One demonstrator, with a flag draped over him, held a watermelon as he walked
One demonstrator, with a flag draped over him, held a watermelon as he walked 
A dog pictured during the protest with a Palestinian flag in the background
A dog pictured during the protest with a Palestinian flag in the background

'We have been liaising with the PSC throughout this week and will have a significant number of officers on duty to maintain law and order.

'Officers will be on hand to ensure the events pass off without issue and will step in to deal with any crime or disorder should it occur.

'We will be visible and engaging with those involved in the events and if you see anything of concern we would ask you to talk to officers in the area.'

The force said that since October it has used conditions under the Public Order Act 'more extensively than during any other period of protest in recent memory'.

These have been in relation to the route, duration, start and finish times, details of any static assemblies and the ability of those involved to get near 'sensitive sites or into communities where fears are most heightened'.

Thousands of pro Palestine supporters marched through central London today to call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza
Thousands of pro Palestine supporters marched through central London today to call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza
The demonstrators have been holding regular demonstrations to urge the British government to pressure Israel into opening negotiations to bring an end to the conflict
The demonstrators have been holding regular demonstrations to urge the British government to pressure Israel into opening negotiations to bring an end to the conflict
Among those on today's protests were Jewish holocaust survivors and their descendants
Among those on today's protests were Jewish holocaust survivors and their descendants

The PSC march will form up in Russell Square between noon and 1pm. Protesters will follow a route down Southampton Row, Kingsway, Aldwych and into Victoria Embankment, stopping just short of Portcullis House for speeches.

A number of conditions will be in place for the PSC event:

- Any person participating in the PSC and coalition partners' procession must not deviate from the route shown on the associated map.

- Any person participating in the PSC and coalition partners' rally must remain within the area indicated in red on the associated map.

- The PSC and coalition partners' stage may only be set up in Embankment in the place shaded blue on the associated map.

- The PSC and coalition partners' rally must conclude by 5.30pm.

It is believed Enough is Enough plans a static protest close to the route of the PSC march, the Met said.

One demonstrator held a fake body wrapped in a cloth
One demonstrator held a fake body wrapped in a cloth
Protesters took to London today in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and waved flags as they marched through the streets
Protesters took to London today in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and waved flags as they marched through the streets
A woman pictured with a London Underground symbol on her face, reading 'End the Genocide'
A woman pictured with a London Underground symbol on her face, reading 'End the Genocide'

Participants must not gather before noon and must remain in the area on the Strand indicated on the map.

The Met has also imposed conditions on Just Stop Oil after information that suggests the eco campaign group may be planning an event on Saturday.

Any person participating in the 'Resistance Starts Here' assembly - or individuals associated with the group - must not enter the area shaded in red on the map. This includes all roads, pavements and green spaces.

Members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign were among those who took to the streets
Members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign were among those who took to the streets
Despite only taking office 24 hours ago, people on the march were already critical of the new prime minister Sir Keir Starmer
Despite only taking office 24 hours ago, people on the march were already critical of the new prime minister Sir Keir Starmer
One banner displayed on the demonstration showed Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu wearing an orange jumpsuit holding up a sign declaring him a 'war criminal' and a 'child killer'
One banner displayed on the demonstration showed Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu wearing an orange jumpsuit holding up a sign declaring him a 'war criminal' and a 'child killer' 
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