Met Police arrest 20 during pro-Palestine march in central London

Met Police make 20 arrests during Whitehall march

Metropolitan Police officers arrested 20 people in central London on Saturday during a major pro-Palestinian demonstration and a nearby counter-protest.

While thousands marched through the capital largely without incident, clashes broke out on Victoria Embankment when several demonstrators climbed the Battle of Britain memorial. Police arrested six people for criminal damage in connection with the memorial incident, while another person was detained for allegedly assaulting a police officer.

The demonstration brought thousands on to a route covering Victoria Embankment, Westminster Bridge, York Road, Waterloo Bridge and The Strand, before terminating at Whitehall shortly before 5pm.

Why arrests were made along the route

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the 20 arrests covered a range of public order and terrorism offences. Beyond the seven people detained at the war memorial, two demonstrators were arrested for refusing to remove face masks after officers invoked powers under the Public Order Act.

A man and a woman were also arrested for displaying placards supporting Palestine Action, an organisation proscribed under UK law. In footage recorded on the Embankment, officers were seen reading a woman her rights before detaining her for holding a sign expressing support for the group.

The force had imposed legal restrictions on both the main procession and a counter-protest organised by Jewish-led campaign group Stop The Hate, which drew around 30 people outside New Scotland Yard. Metal barricades and police lines kept the two groups apart as counter-protesters chanted at the passing crowd.

Political speakers address Whitehall rally

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Carl Galvin, who led the policing operation, said before the event that officers would maintain a significant presence across central London to prevent serious disruption.

Speakers addressing the Whitehall crowd included Jeremy Corbyn, the MP for Islington North, who credited public demonstrations with pushing the UK government to introduce sanctions against illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Labour MP John McDonnell also attended the march, sharing images of demonstrators including a newly married couple who joined the crowds in their wedding attire.

The march was organised by the Palestine Coalition, which includes the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War Coalition, CND, the Muslim Association of Britain, Friends of Al Aqsa and the Palestinian Forum in Britain.