Pro-Palestinian rallies held across UK amid police warnings
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Chants included "Rishi Sunak, you should be ashamed."
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Protesters march during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in London, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023 (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Thousands gathered in London and across the UK for pro-Palestinian demonstrations, with police warning that expressing support for the Palestinian resistance might lead to arrest. The protests took place in several cities and featured a significant police presence.
In London, protesters gathered near the BBC News headquarters and later rallied near Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's residence on Downing Street. Demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and signs advocating for "freedom for Palestine," "stop the massacre," and "impose sanctions on Israel." Chants included "Rishi Sunak, you should be ashamed."
BREAKING: Thousands of protestors have gathered outside BBC headquarters in Glasgow to protest the network's biased coverage of Israel's assault on Gaza.
— Alan MacLeod (@AlanRMacLeod) October 14, 2023
Chants of "BBC, shane on you" are common. pic.twitter.com/oKktyixPvk
Ismail Patel, chairman of the Friends of Al-Aqsa campaign, emphasized the need for global solidarity and urged an end to the ongoing conflict.
"I think all just people around the world, not just in the UK, must stand up and call for this madness (to end), otherwise, in the next few days, (we) might see a catastrophe unfolding," he told AFP.
The protests coincide with "Israel's" ruthless aggression on Gaza, involving airstrikes and the positioning of troops for a potential ground offensive. These actions were prompted by a previous Hamas operation that shook intel and security officials to their core.
Read more: France bans pro-Palestine protests, police clashes with protesters
Supporting Palestine: a crime
Before the London demonstration, the Metropolitan Police Service announced plans to deploy over 1,000 officers due to the reverberations of events occurring thousands of miles away.
In Sussex, a 22-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of supporting Hamas.
Palestinian Resistance Movement Hamas is classified as a terrorist organization by the UK and advocating for it can lead to sentences of up to 14 years under British law.
The Metropolitan Police clarified that expressing solidarity with Palestinians, such as displaying the Palestinian flag, is not a criminal offense. However, endorsing Hamas remains a criminal act.
A student from Uzbekistan, Ferouza Namaz, joined the London demonstration, emphasizing the innocence of people in Gaza and condemning the ongoing atrocities.
"Just being Palestinian does not give the right to kill them. These appalling atrocities have been taking place for so many years," he told AFP.
Breaking: 🇬🇧📍 massive Pro-#Palestine protest in London condemning the genocide that’s being happening by #Israel#StopGazaNakaba #Gaza_under_attack #غزة_الآن #Gazagenocide #FreeGaza #TheRealImage #IsraeliWarCrimes #IsrealPalestineconflict #hamas #Gaza pic.twitter.com/0hMg2aY4NK
— ANDREW FORSBERG 🇬🇭🇸🇪 (@akillis21) October 14, 2023
Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn addressed the London gathering, calling for condemnation of the Israeli military's crimes in Gaza.
"If you believe in international law, if you believe in human rights, then you must condemn what is happening now in Gaza by the Israeli army," Corbyn said.
Read more: Pro-Palestine protests across the US condemn Israeli aggression
