Half a million expected to take to the streets of London in support of Palestine
text_fields
London: In a display of solidarity, over half a million people are expected to flood the streets of London this Saturday in support of Palestine, marking what organizers dub as one of the largest political marches in British history.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign is spearheading the event, with participants set to assemble at Park Lane around midday before embarking on the march at 12:45 pm.
The Metropolitan Police is gearing up for an operation across remembrance weekend, with more than 2,000 officers on duty and an additional 1,000 officers drafted in from outside the capital.
Despite the controversial timing on Armistice Day, Met Police Commissioner Mark Rowley is resolute in preventing any disruption linked to the march "at all costs." Protesters deviating from the agreed route could face fines up to £2,500, and exclusion zones, including iconic sites like the Cenotaph and Whitehall, have been established.
The tension surrounding the event stems from Home Secretary Suella Braverman's public criticism of the policing of protests, which has fuelled a political row. The Home Secretary's unauthorized article in The Times claimed favouritism in policing, asserting that "pro-Palestinian mobs" receive lenient treatment compared to right-wing and nationalist protesters.
Downing Street, distancing itself from Braverman's views, is conducting an internal inquiry into the matter, leaving the home secretary's fate hanging in the balance.
Pro-Palestine demonstrations are not confined to London; thousands are expected to join ceasefire marches across Scotland in cities like Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, Forres, and Dumfries on the same day.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, reassured by Commissioner Rowley, emphasizes the Met's commitment to safeguarding Remembrance Day while maintaining public safety. The march looms as a powerful expression of support for Palestine, set against the backdrop of political tension and a heightened security presence in the heart of London.