Massive protests in multiple cities. Clashes with police, crowds thrive on streets
7:51 AM EST, November 5, 2023
Following the call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, tens of thousands of people worldwide took to the streets in protest. Demonstrators thronged the streets of numerous cities including London, Paris, Berlin, Milan, Washington, and Dhaka. In a significant development, supporters of Palestine congregated at an American military base in southern Turkey, coinciding with the visit of the US Secretary of State.
On Saturday, the Metropolitan Police in London reported that four police officers were injured as a result of pro-Palestinian demonstrators setting off fireworks towards the officers and the crowd. The altercation led to the arrest of 29 people.
Trafalgar Square Witnesses 30K Demonstrators
Ongoing pro-Palestinian protests have been taking place in London and other parts of the UK every Saturday since the escalation of the conflict between Hamas and Israel.
This Saturday, Trafalgar Square in London witnessed a gathering of 30,000 people. The numbers, however, were significantly fewer than the previous weeks due to a change in strategy by the organizers. Instead of assembling one large group, they decided to stage smaller protests across various city districts.
Similar rallies were also held in other UK cities, such as Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast.
A vigil in Manchester showed solidarity with Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas militants.
In downtown Paris, thousands of protestors called for a ceasefire, displaying posters with slogans such as "Stop the violence" and "Silence and inaction are complicities".
This marked one of the largest pro-Palestinian gatherings since the Hamas attack on October 7.
Hundreds of Thousands of Demonstrators Flood the Streets
The French authorities had previously banned many pro-Palestinian gatherings due to concerns about public order disruption.
As per the prefecture, 19,000 people demonstrated in a pro-Palestinian rally on Saturday, but the CGT union center estimated the number at 60,000. The demand of the protestors was "peace" and an "immediate ceasefire".
In Berlin, demonstrators, holding high Palestinian flags, also demanded a ceasefire. One woman drew attention as she marched with her hand raised in the air, smearing it with fake blood.
In Turkey, large groups of protestors gathered in Istanbul and Ankara, on the day before US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to discuss Gaza.
Global Protests Voicing Support for Gaza: "You are Not Alone"
Spain saw many cities hosting pro-Palestinian rallies on Saturday. According to city police, about one thousand people took to the streets of central Barcelona in the evening. They voiced "solidarity with Palestine, against Israeli genocide".
The demonstrators criticized the inaction of the international community and the government against what they called "war crimes". Waving Palestinian flags and chanting, "Gaza, you are not alone", the protestors made their sentiments clear. Two weeks ago, Barcelona had hosted its largest pro-Palestinian demonstration to date, with 20,000 participants.
Washington Sees Demonstrators in Black and White Scarves, White Body Bags Laid Out
Thousands participated in a pro-Palestinian rally in Washington, protesting against the US administration's support for Israel under President Joe Biden.
The demonstrators, dressed in black and white scarves, chanted, "Palestine will be free!". A large Palestinian flag was unfurled on Pennsylvania Avenue, leading to the White House.
White body bags bearing the names of children killed by Israeli rockets were displayed along the street. Protestors brandished posters and banners calling for an immediate ceasefire, with slogans like "Biden betrayed us" and "in November we will remember" - alluding to the upcoming presidential elections in the US.
Demonstrations were also held in Italy and Senegal.
