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  6.  » About 100,000 turn out in London for pro-Palestine rally

Rachel Hall – The Guardian Oct 21, 2023

About 100,000 demonstrators turned out in central London to show their support for Palestine and demand an end to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.

The march in Marble Arch in central London followed the 7 October surprise terror attack by Hamas and the Israeli response. Protesters held signs that read “Freedom for Palestine” and “Stop bombing Gaza”.

The Metropolitan police estimated that about 100,000 people had turned out by 2pm on Saturday. The frontmost marchers moved along Park Lane, via Hyde Park Corner, Piccadilly and Trafalgar Square to reach Whitehall and, by 3pm, protesters had reached Parliament Square. By 5pm, much of the crowd had dispersed.

A total of 10 arrests were made linked to the protests in London and five police officers sustained minor injuries, the Metropolitan police said.

The arrests were for offences involving fireworks, public order and assaulting an emergency service worker.

Two people were earlier arrested after fireworks were launched at officers in Trafalgar Square, the Met said.

The force posted an image on Twitter of a protester on top of a bus on Whitehall, and confirmed that he was “now down safely”.

Responding to social media posts saying Islamic State flags were carried in the crowd, the Met said that specialist officers had confirmed that these were the “shahada”, a declaration of faith in Islam.

The platform at Marble Arch tube station was briefly closed because of the crowds.

 

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