Twist added that nine police officers had been injured on Saturday, with two requiring hospital treatment: one with a fractured elbow and another with a suspected dislocated hip. Those officers were injured on Whitehall as they prevented a violent crowd getting to the Cenotaph while a remembrance service was taking place, he said. The protesters are calling for a ceasefire in the ongoing war in Gaza, but the UK Government has objected to pro-Palestinian marches taking place on the day of national commemoration for Britain’s war dead. Nesrine Malik makes important points about the pro-Palestine marches. As she says, “There is a universal simplicity to the conflict that transcends political ideology – about the fundamental human right to full nationhood, to live in your home in safety and with dignity.” She and the marchers should recognise that this applies equally to Israelis, and protest equally strongly against Hamas’s barbarities. Without mutual empathy, the cycle will continue. A Scottish Labour spokesperson said: “Marches are primarily a matter for the police and we understand there are ongoing discussions to ensure that protests do not disturb or impact Armistice Day events. Attempts from the home secretary to stoke division on this issue simply make the police’s job harder.

Demonstrations were also held in Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow, where Bath Street had to be closed due to the number of people attending. Shaaista Bhutta and Muzaffar Yousaf, the parents of the Scottish first minister, Humza Yousaf, are understood to be among those who attended the rally. Matt Twist, assistant commissioner at the Met, has given an update on today’s events, in which 126 people have been arrested so far. In the statement, he calls the extreme violence from rightwing protestors towards the police “extraordinary” and “deeply concerning”. Describing the day’s events, he said: Despite this, far-right groups and football hooligans have pledged to join together on Saturday to “protect” the Cenotaph from pro-Palestinian marchers. Where are there road closures?

Intelligence agents monitoring protest risks but 'won't be swayed' by Braverman's calls for ban

Six activists with Israel flags attended the demonstration as a counter-protest but they were outnumbered by pro-Palestine activists, PA reported. Change the plan you will roll onto at any time during your trial by visiting the “Settings & Account” section. What happens at the end of my trial? I have been on three of the recent pro-Palestinian marches. In contrast to what Suella Braverman would have us believe, I’ve found nothing but solidarity and hope as I walked beside passionately engaged young people, families and children. It is also a profoundly moving day for the surviving relatives, descendants and friends of those who made that sacrifice.

Surely, this weekend when we remember the fallen, among whom are many of those who fought and helped to end the Holocaust, other demonstrations can pause to allow us all to do so quietly and in confidence.” There were also a number of serious offences identified in relation to hate crime and possible support for proscribed organisations during the protest that we are actively investigating. I’m happy that other people are here too because I want to show that there are people in the UK who care.”We will take a robust approach and yesterday I set out our intent to use all the powers available to the MPS [Metropolitan police service], including putting in place conditions, if required, to ensure events in Whitehall and the surrounding areas as well as other locations of significance across London are not undermined.”

Hundreds of thousands of people have taken part in a pro-Palestinian march in London today. The Metropolitan police said around 300,000 people had converged on the capital, while organisers of the event put the number closer to 800,000 and claimed it was one of the biggest marches in British history. Nov 2023 21.16 CET Sadiq Khan has praised police for their handling of Saturday's protests and violence Abuse was directed at officers protecting the Cenotaph, including chants of “you’re not English any more”. The route will not come close to the Cenotaph or Whitehall, where remembrance events will be taking place. The home secretary, Suella Braverman, had said earlier in the week that waving a Palestinian flag might be a criminal offence. Few at the march in London seemed to take such a threat seriously, with a sea of Palestinian flags visible as the crowd moved slowly down Regent Street towards Whitehall.

Intelligence agents monitoring protest risks but 'won't be swayed' by Braverman's calls for ban

Poppyscotland, and Legion Scotland, who are the custodians of Remembrance in Scotland, declined to comment. I’d like to pay tribute to the Met police who have dealt with a very difficult day with exceptional professionalism. The overwhelming majority of people who used their democratic right to protest on the streets of London today did so peacefully. Suella Braverman has come under fire for her part in “inflaming tensions”. Anti-fascist group Hope Not Hate called for the home secretary to resign, while politicians, including Yvette Cooper and Sadiq Khan both highlighted the negative effect of the home secretary’s comments.