Arrests made at pro-Palestine protest in central London
Metropolitan Police detained individuals for alleged criminal damage and supporting a proscribed organisation.
Several arrests were made on Saturday as thousands of people participated in a pro-Palestine march through central London. The demonstration, organised by the Palestine Coalition, proceeded from the Embankment to Whitehall. A counter-protest by Stop The Hate also took place outside New Scotland Yard, drawing around 30 participants.
Criminal Damage and Support for Proscribed Organisation
The Metropolitan Police reported on X, formerly Twitter, that multiple arrests were made. These included a woman and a man accused of carrying placards that declared support for Palestine Action, which is a proscribed organisation. Additionally, a number of protesters were detained on suspicion of criminal damage after they ascended the Battle of Britain memorial located on Victoria Embankment.
Officers are also reviewing social media footage of other potential offences committed during the protest. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Carl Galvin stated that the event, occurring close to the third anniversary of the terror attack on Israel, had the potential to impact communities more significantly than previous national marches.
Public Order Act Powers and Conditions
The Metropolitan Police imposed conditions on both the pro-Palestine march and the counter-protest to reduce the risk of serious disruption. Protesters were warned that they could face arrest if they refused to remove face coverings that concealed their identity. Mr Galvin explained that under the Public Order Act, police have the authority to arrest individuals who refuse to remove such masks when requested.
He added that arrests would occur if groups refused to remove coverings intended to hide identity, intimidate, or commit offences, stating this behaviour was unacceptable. However, he noted that officers must carefully assess the reasons for mask-wearing in individual cases before responding.
Specific conditions for the march included a designated route via Westminster Bridge, York Road, Waterloo Bridge, and The Strand, with the rally concluding by 6:30pm. Speeches and music were required to finish by 5:30pm. The counter-protest at New Scotland Yard was confined to a designated area and was scheduled to end at 2:30pm.
The Palestine Coalition, the organising body for the march, comprises groups such as Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War, CND, Muslim Association of Britain, Friends of Al Aqsa, and Palestinian Forum in Britain.
Questions this report answers
01Why were people arrested at the pro-Palestine protest?
Several arrests were made during the pro-Palestine protest in central London. These included detentions on suspicion of criminal damage for climbing the Battle of Britain memorial and for allegedly displaying placards supporting the proscribed organisation Palestine Action.
02What powers did the police use regarding face coverings?
The Metropolitan Police used powers under the Public Order Act to require protesters to remove face coverings that concealed their identity. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Carl Galvin stated that individuals refusing to remove such masks could be arrested.
03What conditions were placed on the march?
The Metropolitan Police imposed conditions to minimise disruption, including a specific route for the march and deadlines for the rally, speeches, and music. A counter-protest was also restricted to a designated area outside New Scotland Yard.
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