Thousands of people took part in pro-Palestine marches yesterday (October 21), including an estimated 100,000 in London.
The mass of protesters, which held signs reading ‘Stop Bombing Gaza’ among other calls, moved through the centre of the city before ending outside Downing Street.
Ahead of the march, organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Friends of Al-Aqsa, Stop the War Coalition, Muslim Association of Britain, Palestinian Forum in Britain and The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, the Met Police said an “appropriate policing plan” would be in-place.
The force also warned against anyone showing support for Hamas and committing hate crime.
Just after 2pm, the Met said it believed numbers taking part in the demonstration to be up to 100,000. It later added that, as of 9pm, 10 arrests had been made for offences including firework-related incidents and assaulting an emergency worker.
Speakers included former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Poplar and Limehouse MP Apsana Begum, who called for an "unconditional and immediate recognition of the state of Palestine".
Figures released on Friday indicated hate crime offences in London had surged amid the outbreak of war between Hamas and Israel, with an increase in antisemitic and Islamophoboc offences of 1,353% and 140% this month compared to the same period last year.
So far, more than 1,400 Israelis and 4,300 Palestinians are reported to have been killed in the conflict.
1. An estimated 100,000 people took part in the pro-Palestine march in London on October 21.
Credit: Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images.
2. The march went through central London, before ending outside Downing Street.
Credit: Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images.
3. The Met said 10 arrests had been made as of 9pm, for offences including firework-related incidents.
Credit: Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images.
4. The march in London was one of several around the UK in cities including Birmingham and Cardiff.
Credit: Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images.