Thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators marched from a static rally in Whitehall to Trafalgar Square on Saturday.
Police have warned pro-Palestine protesters to leave Trafalgar Square or face arrest after demonstrators broke through a police line as they marched from a rally in Whitehall.
Saturday’s Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) protest was adjusted to be a static rally after police curtailed organisers’ plans for a march past the BBC and near a synagogue.
But thousands of demonstrators, including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and the party’s former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, marched towards Trafalgar Square from Whitehall after speeches were made at the rally.
Officers were holding the line at the top of Whitehall to stop any groups marching which would be a breach of the conditions.
Despite their efforts a large group has forced its way through and are in Trafalgar Square. More officers are being deployed. pic.twitter.com/LD1n3mmhDt
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) January 18, 2025
Protesters met a line of police officers and eventually broke through, with those who made it to the square later finding themselves being held in one corner.
The Metropolitan Police warned the group to disperse or face arrest.
“The group that forced its way through the police line is now held at the north-west corner of Trafalgar Square,” the force said in a post on X.
“Anyone in that group should now disperse and leave the area. Anyone remaining in breach of the conditions, or inciting further breaches, will be arrested.”
The warning follows the arrest of eight people at the rally earlier on Saturday.
A man was arrested on suspicion of holding a placard suggesting support for banned organisations, while four people were arrested on suspicion of public order offences and three others on suspicion of breaching conditions put in place for the protest.
One of the conditions prevents anyone involved in the protest from entering a specific area around Portland Place.
