Curated By: Shankhyaneel Sarkar
Last Updated: November 26, 2023, 13:19 IST
London, United Kingdom (UK)
People protest on Vauxhall Bridge during a march in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, in London, Britain. (Image: Reuters)
The police said that the protests were peaceful but some miscreants sold literature that contained antisemitic content.
At least 18 people were arrested on Saturday during a pro-Palestine protest in London. Some of those held were arrested for displaying a swastika inside a Star of David and other Nazi symbols.
Thousands of pro-Palestine supporters took to the streets of London on Saturday. The police highlighted that the majority of the protesters were peaceful but said that the Metropolitan Police conducted a “significant policing operation” in order to prevent untoward incidents.
The Metropolitan Police issued a warning before the protest over the spread of hate speech. On Saturday officers handed out leaflets that sought to clarify what would be deemed a criminal offence, after the force faced pressure from senior government officials to be tougher on alleged displays of antisemitism at the protests, according to a report by the Associated Press.
“Anyone who is racist or incites hatred against any group should expect to be arrested. As should anyone who supports Hamas or any other banned organisation,” said Deputy Assistant Police Commissioner Ade Adelekan.
“We will not tolerate anyone who celebrates or promotes acts of terrorism – such as the killing or kidnap of innocent people – or who spreads hate speech,” Adelekan further added.
The force said 1,500 officers were deployed to police the march.
The protest was called to demand a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
The first arrest was made within minutes as protesters began gathering at Park Lane for the march to Whitehall. Cops said that a man wielding a placard with Nazi symbols on it was arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred. A total of five people were detained on suspicion of inciting racial hatred.
Organisers Stop the War Coalition criticised the measure by calling it “intrusive” but urged protesters to “respect these clear anti-racist principles, including in any signs or placards they choose to bring to the march”.
The London police said that they also discovered a stall in Whitehall that was distributing literature featuring a swastika inside a Star of David. Police arrested all four people manning the stall.
France’s capital Paris and major cities including Strasbourg, Lyon and Marseille also saw protests in solidarity with Gaza’s civilians. Other major European cities like Austrian capital Vienna also saw protests in solidarity with Gaza’s civilians.
