Hundreds of thousands of protesters are expected to join a pro-Palestinian march in London today, Saturday. This march has been criticized by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who described it as disrespectful, amid concerns it may incite violence on Remembrance Day. The UK commemorates Remembrance Day, the day World War I ended, to honor veterans.
The "National March for Palestine" is the fourth organized in the British capital since the attacks by the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Israel on October 7. However, ministers have argued it should be canceled due to its timing with Remembrance Day.
The police announced they would deploy nearly 2,000 security personnel and pledged to take strict measures against any disturbances caused by march participants or counter-protests from opposing right-wing groups and veterans.
Lawrence Taylor, deputy assistant commissioner of police and responsible for overseeing the marches, stated, "I think if different groups come together, serious disturbances will occur." He added to reporters, "The police operation this weekend is massive," and noted it would be "challenging and tense."
Organizers of the solidarity campaign for Palestine indicated that Saturday's march will steer clear of the war memorial near Sunak’s office on Downing Street and will conclude at the U.S. embassy, approximately three kilometers away. The police noted they would impose a no-go zone around areas associated with the remembrance events, while unprecedented 24-hour police presence has been established at the memorial since Thursday.
