Police arrest 82 ‘counter-protesters’ as thousands march for Palestine- latest

Police officers have set up a 'ring of steel' around the Cenotaph.

Nov 11, 2023 - 16:20

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Police arrest 82 ‘counter-protesters’ as thousands march for Palestine- latest

Former Labout party leader Jeremy Corbyn (C) joins protesters with placards and flags taking part in the 'National March For Palestine' in central London on November 11, 2023, calling for a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has described a planned march in London on Saturday -- Armistice Day, when Britain honours its war dead -- as — The pro-Palestine march has been peaceful, whereas a group of far-right protesters clashed with police near the Cenotaph earlier today (Picture: Henry Nicholls / AFP via Getty Images)

Over 500,000 people have attended a‘historic’ march in London today on Armistice Day, calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict that erupted last month.

The march- the route of which goes from Hyde Park to the US embassy in Vauxhall – has so far been peaceful.

However, fights between ‘football hooligans’ and police did break out in Whitehall as around 1000 far-right counter protesters marched on the Cenotaph ahead of a two-minute silence for Armistice Day.

Police have since arrested 82 counter protesters who were attempting to disrupt the main march.

A line of police attempted to stop them from reaching Whitehall but the group pushed through, with some shouting ‘let’s have them’ and ‘England till I die’ as officers hit out with batons.

A few dozen of them climbed the barricades waving St George flags. Many were wearing black balaclavas.

Far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, is seen to be in attendance.

The Met Police drafted in 1,000 extra officers to form a ‘ring of steel’ around the event.