Arrests at London Palestine March Over War Memorial Incident

Several arrests occurred during a pro-Palestine march in London on Saturday, with police detaining individuals on suspicion of criminal damage and for supporting a banned organisation. Thousands of demonstrators gathered on the Embankment before proceeding towards Whitehall.

Memorial Incident and Proscribed Group Support

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that two protesters were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after they climbed onto the Battle of Britain memorial located on Victoria Embankment. In a separate incident, a man and a woman were arrested for carrying placards that declared support for Palestine Action. This group is identified as a proscribed organisation by authorities.

Officers are also reviewing social media footage to identify any other potential offences committed during the demonstration. The march was organised by the Palestine Coalition, a group comprising several organisations including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Stop the War.

Police Conditions and Public Order Measures

To mitigate the risk of significant disruption to local communities, police implemented specific conditions on the march. These included requirements for the procession to follow a designated route via Westminster Bridge, York Road, Waterloo Bridge, and The Strand, with the rally scheduled to conclude by 6:30pm. Speeches and music were also required to end by 5:30pm.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Carl Galvin stated that the proximity of the event to the third anniversary of the terror attack on Israel meant it had the potential for greater impact on communities. He added that officers would use powers under the Public Order Act to require individuals to remove face coverings if they were being used deliberately to conceal identities, particularly if done with the intention to hide identity, intimidate, or commit offences.

A separate counter-protest, organised by Stop The Hate, took place outside New Scotland Yard. Approximately 30 individuals gathered in a designated area, some carrying flags. Police also imposed conditions on this assembly, requiring participants to remain within the specified zone and for the event to conclude by 2:30pm.

The Metropolitan Police stated that while they would act against those deliberately concealing identities to intimidate or commit offences, individual cases required careful assessment of why a person was wearing a mask.