Thousands protest in London for Gaza despite police ban
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Protesters have relocated after London police banned the protest initially organized in front of the BBC headquarters.
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Protesters hold flags and placards during a march in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza, in London, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP)
Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters are set to gather in central London on Saturday to call for an end to the genocide in Gaza and for a halt to arms exports to "Israel", according to the London Standard.
The demonstration, organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), will begin at noon in Whitehall. The event will also include a march in solidarity with oppressed women globally, the newspaper reported.
"Thousands of people outside 10 Downing Street right now to stand with Palestine and demand our government take action to pressure Israel to end its occupation, apartheid and genocide against the Palestinian people," the PSC said on social media.
Originally, the protesters planned to assemble near the BBC headquarters and march through London to Whitehall. However, the London police prohibited the march due to its proximity to a synagogue. As a result, the PSC decided to hold a stationary protest instead.
The protest, although approved in November, was blocked by the Metropolitan police last week. The collective organizing the demonstration accused the Met of exploiting public order advantages to shield the BBC from public dissent for its misconduct and false news regarding the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza.
Citing Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekanthe, the London Standard newspaper reported that more than 1,100 police officers were expected to be deployed to ensure security at the demonstration.
Protest organizers criticized the BBC for failing to adequately represent Palestinian suffering, accusing the broadcaster of pro-Israeli bias. They also consider their marches as a way to hold the BBC accountable.
BCC refusing to air humanitarian appeal for Gaza
In September, the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), a British charity group, faced delays in launching a major humanitarian appeal for Gaza. However, the BBC is holding back from broadcasting it although it aims to address the urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza, The Guardian reported.
Reportedly, the British news channel is concerned that the appeal would not meet its criteria for a national appeal.
The BBC stated that it is "under review," while other UK broadcasters have agreed to air it. Insiders from the DEC, BBC, and various aid agencies cited by The Guardian have expressed frustration, accusing the broadcaster of hesitating due to fears of backlash from Zionists in light of the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
The DEC, which consists of 15 major UK aid charities that have raised £2.2 billion from 77 appeals since its establishment in 1963, has clear criteria for launching appeals. The situation must meet three requirements: an urgent need for international aid, the ability to provide effective humanitarian assistance, and demonstrated public sympathy or the likelihood of support.
The BBC is reportedly focusing on the second criterion regarding the delivery of aid.
A spokesperson for the DEC stated, "The volatile situation in the region, as well as the complex issues around aid access, pose a huge challenge when reviewing our criteria for an appeal." The BBC has also emphasized that it is considering the appeal’s broadcast while adhering to its "impartiality" guidelines.
