NewsRiots on London streets: Far-right supporters clash with police ahead of the pro-Palestinian march

Riots on London streets: Far‑right supporters clash with police ahead of the pro‑Palestinian march

In London on Saturday morning, the first incidents related to the contentious march of solidarity with Palestinians occurred. The skirmishes were a result of a counter-demonstration by far-right supporters. The clashes primarily involved these right-wing sympathizers and the police.

Protesters gather with posters and flags for the "National March for Palestine" in the center of London, November 11, 2023.
Protesters gather with posters and flags for the "National March for Palestine" in the center of London, November 11, 2023.
Images source: © Licensor | HENRY NICHOLLS
ed. MUP

6:33 PM EST, November 11, 2023

This weekend’s solidarity march with Palestinians is causing exceptional emotions as it coincides with Britain’s Remembrance Day and Memorial Sunday - days when the British pay tribute to their fallen soldiers. There are growing concerns that this event could result in the desecration of war monuments.

The tension is further escalated by the arrival in London of numerous far-right supporters and football hooligans. Claiming that they are there to defend the monuments, these individuals have added an element of volatility to the situation.

At around 6 AM Eastern Time, the entire country fell silent for two minutes to honor the fallen. Near The Cenotaph, which is a monument dedicated to fallen soldiers and the annual site of main ceremonies, there were clashes between far-right supporters and the police.

Among the far-right supporters was Tommy Robinson, founder and former leader of the extreme right-wing organization, English Defence League (EDL). During these confrontations, the police were pelted with bottles and had to use batons to prevent the aggressive crowd from encroaching too close to the monument.

Meanwhile, several quarters of a mile away on Trafalgar Square, activists from the Extinction Rebellion group demanded an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. They laid out hundreds of children's shoes and read the names of approximately 4100 Palestinian and 26 Israeli children who were killed in retaliatory attacks between Israel and Hamas.

The Metropolitan Police force in London anticipates that Saturday's pro-Palestinian march will be larger than any previous demonstrations and has issued warnings that riots may ensue.

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