Hundreds of thousands stage Armistice Day pro-Palestinian rally in London
Police estimated that 300,000 people had turned out, while organisers put the figure at 800,000, putting it on a par with the huge numbers who marched in the British capital against the Iraq war in 2003.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Saturday condemned far-right protesters as hundreds of thousands of pro-Palestinian supporters marched through London calling for a ceasefire in Israel's war in Gaza.
Nearly 2,000 police were out in force to keep rival groups apart, with the march organised on Armistice Day, the annual event when Britain remembers its war dead with solemn ceremonies at war memorials.
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The march went ahead after a week of tensions, which saw the government call for it to be scrapped, and police said they made scores of arrests.
Some 150 people from the mass protest were detained under public order legislation for wearing face coverings and setting off fireworks, while 82 counter-protesters were held to prevent them from infiltrating the main march.
Groups of men, many wearing black with their faces covered and waving England's St George's flag and the Union Jack, tried to break through police lines at The Cenotaph war memorial on Whitehall.
Police in riot gear then faced a barrage of bottles in nearby Chinatown, the Metropolitan Police said.
"I condemn the violent, wholly unacceptable scenes we have seen today from the EDL (English Defence League) and associated groups and Hamas sympathisers attending the 'National March for Palestine'," said Sunak in a statement.
"The despicable actions of a minority of people undermine those who have chosen to express their views peacefully."
Sunak, who has resisted calls for him to back a ceasefire in Israel's war with Hamas, said far-right "thugs", anti-Semitic chants and pro-Hamas signs and clothing had marred remembrance weekend.
"All criminality must be met with the full force of the law," he added.
Scuffles
The march, organised by the Stop the War Coalition, is the biggest yet in London since Hamas killed more than 1,200 and took some 240 people hostage on 7 October, according to Israel.
The Israeli military campaign in response has left just over 11,000 people in Gaza dead, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the coastal enclave.
Huge crowds waved black, red, white and green Palestinian flags and held aloft placards proclaiming "Stop Bombing Gaza", shouting "Free Palestine" and "Ceasefire now".
Demonstrators hold Palestinian flags as they blockade the entrance to BAE Systems' factory during a protest by 'Workers for a Free Palestine', calling for an end to arms sales to Israel, and supporting an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, near Rochester, south east England on 10 November 2023. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)
Police estimated that 300,000 people had turned out, while organisers put the figure at 800,000, putting it on a par with the huge numbers who marched in the British capital against the Iraq war in 2003.
"Forget the political stance, forget everything else, you can't stand around while people are getting killed," Shiraz Bobra, 41, who had travelled from Leicester, central England, told AFP, adding he would come every week until a ceasefire was enforced.
Roman Catholic priest Father John McGowan added: "I feel for the Palestinians because their land is occupied and their occupiers can be cruel" and said he hoped for a two-state solution.
The number of arrests on Saturday topped those from all previous pro-Palestinian marches combined, which have seen people detained for hate crimes and showing support for Hamas, which is proscribed as a terrorist group in the UK.
Police said they were prepared for small breakaway groups and expected pockets of violence, with concern about far-right groups, including football hooligans massing to protect landmark memorials.
The founder and former leader of the far-right EDL, Tommy Robinson, was seen among the crowds of counter-protesters.
An exclusion zone was created around central London, including The Cenotaph, where crowds wearing poppies -- the symbol of remembrance -- gathered to pay their respects in silence, and by laying wreaths.
King Charles III leads a national remembrance event at the war memorial with senior royals, political leaders and veterans on Sunday.
There were other pro-Palestinian rallies elsewhere in Europe, with several thousand turning out in Paris and more than 20,000 in Brussels.
Some of the marchers in the Belgian capital cried out "EU, shame on you" for perceived bias towards Israel at the expense of Palestinian lives and rights.
Story by AFP
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