Dozen arrested at Londons Al-Quds Day rally

Police Arrest 12 Demonstrators During London’s Al-Quds Day Rally

Hundreds of protesters gathered on the Albert Embankment of the River Thames in central London on Sunday for the annual Al-Quds Day demonstration, an international show of solidarity with Palestinians. The event took place under new restrictions and a heavy police presence.

The rally saw demonstrators waving Palestinian flags, holding banners, and chanting slogans, including some carrying images of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s late Supreme Leader. Police made 12 arrests during the event, including for showing support for a proscribed organisation and threatening or abusive behaviour.

The demonstration was marked by chants such as “from the river to the sea” and “Israel is a terror state”. More than 1,000 officers were deployed across the area ahead of the event. Earlier estimates suggested 12,000 people could attend, but only hundreds showed up.

The government had approved a month-long prohibition on marches in London, citing public disorder risks linked to the volatile situation in the Middle East and potential clashes between different groups of demonstrators. Organisers from the Islamic Human Rights Commission proceeded with a “static” rally despite the ban, accusing London police of having “capitulated to the pressure of the Zionist lobby”.

The Al-Quds Day event was held on Sunday as Friday was a regular workday. Police put demonstrators on notice that “intifada” chants and displays of support for proscribed groups would result in arrest. A smaller counterprotest, organised by Stop The Hate and the Lion Guard of Iran, drew Iranian dissidents and others opposed to the Islamic Republic.

Both demonstrations were confined to a specific stretch between Vauxhall and Lambeth bridges and permitted only during a limited time frame. The security plan implemented by Scotland Yard appeared to have worked, with neither side attempting to breach conditions by marching.

Source: Al Jazeera