Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters are marching towards Whitehall from Russell Square in central London. Protesters waved Palestinian flags and chanted “free, free Palestine”, “occupation no more, Israel is a terrorist state” and “stop bombing Iran”.
Many chanted “shame on you” as they walked past dozens of counter-protesters, organised by pro-Israeli group Stop The Hate, near Waterloo Bridge. Placards included one bearing the controversial slogan “From the River to the Sea”, regarded by some within the Jewish community as hate speech.
The Met has set strict conditions for protests in central London this weekend under the Public Order Act to prevent serious disruption.
The Palestine Coalition protest will start in Russell Square at midday, march to Whitehall via Aldwych and the Strand, and end with a speech assembly that must finish by 17.30, with participants required to stay within designated areas and follow the agreed route.
The ‘Stop the Hate’ static protest, opposing the Palestine Coalition march, will be held north of Waterloo Bridge between 12.30 and 17.30, confined to a specified area.
The Met warns that additional conditions may be imposed on other protests over the weekend.
The march comes just a day after the UK government announced plans to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation following their break-in and vandalism at RAF Brize Norton.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is preparing to present a ministerial statement to Parliament on June 23, which, if approved, would criminalise membership and support for the group under the Terrorism Act 2000.
The decision follows an incident where two activists infiltrated the military base, damaging two Voyager aircraft and spraying red paint into their engines. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the act as “disgraceful,” and the Ministry of Defence criticised the vandalism, stating it disrespects the sacrifices of armed forces personnel.
If enacted, the proscription would align Palestine Action with other proscribed groups such as Hizb ut-Tahrir and Russia’s Wagner Group. The group’s supporters argue that the ban suppresses non-violent protest and activism, while the government contends that the group’s actions constitute unlawful use of violence and intimidation in pursuit of political aims.
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