One million will march in London: Chief of pro-Palestine demo says fleets of coaches from throughout UK are heading to capital as Met police stand guard at Cenotaph for first time ever

Hundreds of individuals had been headed to London on Saturday from all around the UK to march in solidarity with the folks of palestine because the Met Police braces for an enormous day of protests on Armistice Day.

Leaders of the demonstration claimed total fleets of coaches had been driving to the capital because the Met Police doubled the variety of officers on the streets and arrange an exclusion zone across the Cenotaph.

All through the weekend, nearly 2,000 officers from the Met and different UK forces will likely be on responsibility throughout central London for what’s the greatest Remembrance safety operation ever to happen.

Scotland Yard has positioned the Cenotaph, Britain’s most hallowed struggle memorial, underneath 24-hour police guard, with officers, obstacles and police automobiles set to encompass the perimeter till Sunday.

The professional-palestine march route doesn’t go inside a mile of the Cenotaph, however police concern some members of fringe teams could attempt to make their very own strategy to the memorial. Organisers say as much as one million persons are anticipated to attend.

Law enforcement officials had been standing guard on the Cenotaph early on Saturday because the Met braces itself for a day of motion on Remembrance Day

<img id="i-5ec665c3c86a6631" src="https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/11/08/77677209-0-image-a-2_1699690026030.jpg" peak="423" width="634" alt="Officers from the Metropolitan Police on responsibility on the Cenotaph on Whitehall in Central London forward of a professional palestine demonstration within the capital on Armistice Day” class=”blkBorder img-share” model=”max-width:100%” />

<img id="i-5ec665c3c86a6631" src="https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/11/08/77677209-0-image-a-2_1699690026030.jpg" peak="423" width="634" alt="Officers from the Metropolitan Police on responsibility on the Cenotaph on Whitehall in Central London forward of a professional palestine demonstration within the capital on Armistice Day” class=”blkBorder img-share” />

Officers from the Metropolitan Police on responsibility on the Cenotaph on Whitehall in Central London forward of a professional palestine demonstration within the capital on Armistice Day

Early on Saturday folks took to social media to point out coaches stuffed with protesters heading to London

Protest organisers from London have deliberate to take activists to the capital on buses for the ‘Million March’ 

Earlier marches have been largely peaceable as activists name for a right away ceasefire to guard the lives of harmless Palestinian civilians – a name echoed by French President Emmanuel Macron final night time. 

The Palestinian well being authority run by terror group Hamas says that greater than 11,000 folks, together with 4,500 kids, have to date been killed in Israeli retaliation since their gunmen launched an unprecedented assault on the nation, killing not less than 1,400 folks.

It was claimed on Saturday {that a} coach agency within the north of England has had its total 250-strong bus fleet booked out this weekend to ferry folks right down to London. 

It comes as Far-Proper teams who’ve vowed to guard the Cenotaph despatched a chilling message to protesters, warning on vile WhatsApp teams with greater than 1,000 members: ‘We’ll be ready.’ 

The Hope Not Hate (HNH) marketing campaign group yesterday uncovered dozens of racist WhatsApp messages which included plans to ambush activists and hyperlinks to purchasing crossbows. 

HNH, who reported the messages to the police, additionally discovered posts calling Muslims ‘vermin’. Others wrote vile threats of violence and warned: ‘It is struggle. For our youngsters and nation.’

It comes after Tommy Robinson, the founding father of the now-defunct English Defence League, referred to as for ‘younger English males’ to stage counter protests within the capital this weekend.

Talking to the Right now programme on Saturday morning, head of the palestine Solidarity Marketing campaign Ben Jamal stated organisers had been anticipating as much as one million folks to descend on the streets of London.

A big police presence was seen on Whitehall early on Saturday morning

Police guard a statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Sq.

The Cenotaph is underneath armed guard in an unprecedented present of safety on Saturday

Outdoors the Israeli embassy on Saturday officers had been developing a ‘ring of metal’ utilizing concrete blocks

<img id="i-c14e3e002866b6fe" src="https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/11/08/77677339-12737207-image-a-15_1699691499048.jpg" peak="423" width="634" alt="Chief of the palestine Solidarity Marketing campaign Ben Jamal instructed the Right now programme that intifada isn’t a name for ‘violent rebellion'” class=”blkBorder img-share” model=”max-width:100%” />

<img id="i-c14e3e002866b6fe" src="https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/11/08/77677339-12737207-image-a-15_1699691499048.jpg" peak="423" width="634" alt="Chief of the palestine Solidarity Marketing campaign Ben Jamal instructed the Right now programme that intifada isn’t a name for ‘violent rebellion'” class=”blkBorder img-share” />

Chief of the palestine Solidarity Marketing campaign Ben Jamal instructed the Right now programme that intifada isn’t a name for ‘violent rebellion’

<img id="i-8863d0f1113d3690" src="https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/11/03/77673835-12736201-Far_Right_groups_have_vowed_We_ll_be_waiting_as_pro_Palestine_ac-m-18_1699673085878.jpg" peak="296" width="634" alt="Far-Proper teams have vowed 'We'll be ready' as pro-palestine activists descend on London as we speak” class=”blkBorder img-share” model=”max-width:100%” />

<img id="i-8863d0f1113d3690" src="https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/11/03/77673835-12736201-Far_Right_groups_have_vowed_We_ll_be_waiting_as_pro_Palestine_ac-m-18_1699673085878.jpg" peak="296" width="634" alt="Far-Proper teams have vowed 'We'll be ready' as pro-palestine activists descend on London as we speak” class=”blkBorder img-share” />

Far-Proper teams have vowed ‘We’ll be ready’ as pro-palestine activists descend on London as we speak

<img id="i-3d9666025990dfd3" src="https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/11/02/77674031-12736201-image-a-45_1699669785744.jpg" peak="423" width="634" alt="Activists from right-wing Turning Level UK maintain a counter-protest to the Nationwide March for palestine alongside the Cenotaph on October 28. Far-Proper teams have vowed to guard the Cenotaph as we speak” class=”blkBorder img-share” model=”max-width:100%” />

<img id="i-3d9666025990dfd3" src="https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/11/02/77674031-12736201-image-a-45_1699669785744.jpg" peak="423" width="634" alt="Activists from right-wing Turning Level UK maintain a counter-protest to the Nationwide March for palestine alongside the Cenotaph on October 28. Far-Proper teams have vowed to guard the Cenotaph as we speak” class=”blkBorder img-share” />

Activists from right-wing Turning Level UK maintain a counter-protest to the Nationwide March for palestine alongside the Cenotaph on October 28. Far-Proper teams have vowed to guard the Cenotaph as we speak

Professional-Palestinian protesters maintain smoke flares as they cling to a visitors mild outdoors Downing Avenue at a rally final month. The Cenotaph could be seen within the background

On Friday night time, officers continued to face guard at Britain’s most hallowed struggle memorial 

Mr Jamal stated: ‘We’re on the point of a serious disaster [in Gaza]. Individuals are marching peacefully calling for an finish to this. We stay in a very topsy-turvy world the place folks marching for peace are being outlined by our PM and our House Sec as extremists and hate audio system.’

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What’s ‘intifada’? 

Intifada is a time period generally utilized in affiliation with Palestinians and the state of Israel. It means rebellion or revolt.

There have been two well-known intifadas, or uprisings, towards Israel in palestine. 

The primary within the late Eighties noticed peaceable actions similar to mass boycotts and a few extra violent assaults on Israelis.

The second, which grew out of the 2000 peace course of, was way more violent and concerned Palestinian techniques similar to suicide bombings and rocket assaults.

Round 1,000 Israelis and three,200 Palestinians had been killed by the point peace returned in 2005.

He accused her of whipping up concern, saying the PSC had been clear with police weeks in the past that they didn’t plan to disrupt Armistice Day occasions: ‘It’s inconceivable until she does not communicate to the police that she did not know that when she made her remarks. 

‘She has described that what’s going to be occurring as we speak as hundreds of individuals as hate audio system, extremists, marching to Whitehall to desecrate the cenotaph.’

He added that statements by the House Secretary which have referred to the marches as ‘hate marches’ are ‘completely disgraceful and reveal her personal unfitness for workplace.’

Mr Jamal additionally accused authorities of ‘reframing language’ to counsel folks mentioning ‘intifada’ care calling for a violent rebellion, one thing he says isn’t the case.

‘Intifada does not imply a violent rebellion. That is an try and reframe language. Intifada is a phrase which means shaking off it’s a phrase which means shaking off and standing towards navy occupation.’

He added that he has not seen or heard of a single placard advocating help of Hamas.

On Friday night time, the Met Police warned that Armistice Day may get ‘messy’ as officers begun an unprecedented round the clock guard of the Cenotaph.

A small group of well being employee protesters gathered outdoors Downing Avenue to name for a ceasefire after it was reported that Israel had surrounded Gaza’s largest hospital, Al Shifa.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made an eleventh hour plea for ‘unity’ amid fears of violence and dysfunction.

Met Police deputy assistant commissioner Laurence Taylor, who’s in command of the ‘massive and strong policing plan’, instructed reporters at a briefing on the eve of Armistice Day: ‘There will likely be occasions this weekend the place you see pockets of confrontation…’

He added: ‘You will note police intervention, and I hope we do not however I feel it is possible you will notice police having to make use of pressure to handle a few of the conditions that now we have to take care of, and at occasions which may look messy.

‘That does not equate to critical dysfunction or to us shedding management, but it surely does imply that we’re taking strong, speedy and agile motion to take care of what we’re coping with.’

Metropolitan Law enforcement officials standing guard across the Cenotaph in Whitehall on Friday afternoon 

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (pictured on the Remembrance Crosses within the Area of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey) has made an eleventh hour plea for ‘unity’ amid fears of violence and dysfunction

In a last-gasp plea for a ‘second of unity’, Mr Sunak warned commemorations are ‘sacred’ and such rallies can happen solely due to those that fought ‘for the liberty we cherish’.

Mr Sunak stated: ‘This weekend folks throughout the UK will stand collectively in quiet reflection to recollect those that made the final word sacrifice for our nation. Veterans, family members of those that gave their lives for his or her nation and plenty of extra of us will need to honour this second.

‘This act of remembrance is key to who we’re as a rustic and I need to reassure these wishing to pay their respects, attend providers and journey that they’ll and may accomplish that.’

He added: ‘It’s due to those that fought for this nation and for the liberty we cherish that those that want to protest can accomplish that, however they need to accomplish that respectfully and peacefully.

‘This weekend ought to be in regards to the selfless bravery of our Armed Forces. We will keep in mind them.’

The Met has mobilised 1,850 officers from London and different UK forces because it prepares to manage tons of of hundreds of protesters pouring into London as pro-palestine activists name for a ceasefire within the Israel–Hamas struggle.

Requested why the pressure has doubled the variety of officers on the bottom in comparison with the primary weekend of protests, DAC Laurence Taylor stated: ‘It is a actually tough weekend for policing. 

‘We now have obtained a major march happening. We’re conscious there will likely be counter-protests, in addition to lots of people who would ordinarily come to London to mark their respect on Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday. Meaning we want a big and strong policing plan in place.’ 

In each effort to guard Armistice Day occasions, a ‘ring of metal’ has been erected round Whitehall, Horse Guards Parade and the Westminster Abbey Area of Remembrance. This will likely be protected by steel fences, with any marchers attempting to get inside going through arrest. 

In distinction, these the Met take into account ‘counter protesters’, who could embrace veterans, Proper-wing extremists and soccer hooligans, will likely be allowed into these areas, principally to separate them from the pro-Palestinian march which has been redirected away from Whitehall in direction of Vauxhall. 

The unprecedented safety round Britain’s most hallowed struggle memorial was put in place yesterday and can stay till the top of remembrance commemorations on Sunday

A dispersal zone will likely be in place protecting key central London places together with Trafalgar Sq. and Piccadilly Circus. Anybody refusing to disperse could be arrested, the Met stated

Exclusion zones have been put in place across the Israeli Embassy in Kensington and the US Embassy in Vauxhall 

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his spouse Akshata Murty have a look at Remembrance Crosses within the Area of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey in London forward of Armistice Day

Speaker of the Home of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, joins poppy sellers on behalf of the Royal British Legion because the nation rallies round volunteers

DAC Taylor stated the Met had info that ‘massive numbers of counter protesters will likely be coming to London with a view to confronting these happening in the principle march’. 

Requested why counter protesters can be allowed across the monument, Mr Taylor stated the pressure ‘do not anticipate any dysfunction will come from that group’ individually. 

Within the largest policing operation ever mounted for the commemorations, the capital will likely be flooded with nearly 3,000 officers from throughout England and Wales. Chief constables have cancelled depart, prolonged additional time and drafted in 1,000 officers from outdoors London over the weekend to bolster Scotland Yard’s numbers throughout as we speak and tomorrow.

Demonstrators will likely be banned from gathering outdoors the Israeli Embassy, whereas a dispersal order in place throughout an enormous swathe of central London will permit police to arrest violent protesters breaking off from the principle march. 

Officers may even be granted extra powers to hold out cease and searchers and order folks to take away masks. 

In the meantime, the Met is deploying specialist visitors officers to police convoys of vehicles bringing protesters into the capital. Earlier occasions have been marred by demonstrators driving by Jewish areas whereas waving flags and shouting anti-Semitic abuse. 

Britain’s greatest pressure has additionally vowed to work with the British Transport Police to guard poppy sellers in stations and different busy areas after a number of incidents of volunteers being abused. 

In a press release launched on Friday, the Met rallied round volunteers, saying: ‘We now have been clear no intimidation of those that so generously quit their time for this treasured nationwide trigger will likely be tolerated. Officers know the danger felt by sellers and ought to be sought out by anybody involved all through the weekend.’

The Met additionally declared that it was doing ‘all the pieces’ in its energy to make sure Jewish Londoners really feel secure in the course of the pro-palestine protest. 

DAC Taylor warned anybody calling for ‘jihad’ confronted being arrested and stated the pressure’s stance in direction of protesters had hardened following comparable mass marches over the previous month, when it was criticised for failing to cease anti-Semitism within the wake of the October 7 Hamas terror assault that took 1,400 Israeli lives. 

The palestine Solidarity Marketing campaign has estimated half one million activists will participate within the march from Hyde Park at 1pm, a number of hours after a two-minute silence will likely be held on the Cenotaph in Westminster for fallen troopers.

Protecting obstacles across the ‘Remembrance Sunday footprint’ in Whitehall have been prolonged far wider than regular.

The Cease the Conflict coalition stated coach corporations throughout the nation are reporting that every one their automobiles are absolutely booked, with ready lists in some areas.

John Rees, from the group, stated the protest in London will likely be ‘actually historic’, exceeding the half one million he believes joined a earlier protest within the capital.

‘We’re satisfied it is going to be the most important demonstration to date over palestine,’ he stated. Our native teams up and down the nation have reported they’ve offered out of seats on tons of of coaches.’

Lindsey German, the group’s convenor, stated: ‘Our native teams in cities and cities throughout the UK, together with coach corporations, are telling us that all of their coaches have been booked to deliver folks to London. That is comparable solely to 2 million robust protest towards the Iraq Conflict in 2003.’

Sir Mark stated officers would ‘shield places and occasions of nationwide significance in any respect prices’. Pictured: Law enforcement officials guard ‘The Cenotaph’ on October 28

Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley has refused to ban the controversial rally, saying he legally had ‘no energy’ to cease it. 

Whereas march organisers have vowed to not go close to the monument, there are fears splinter teams may conflict with soccer hooligans who’ve vowed to ‘defend’ it. 

Sir Mark stated his officers would ‘shield places and occasions of nationwide significance in any respect prices’. He stated he couldn’t ban Saturday’s demonstration just because folks felt it mustn’t happen.

‘The legal guidelines created by Parliament are clear. There is no such thing as a absolute energy to ban protest, subsequently there will likely be a protest this weekend,’ he insisted.

‘The regulation gives no mechanism to ban a static gathering of individuals. It comprises laws which permits us to impose situations to scale back disruption and the danger of violence, and in probably the most excessive instances when no different techniques can work, for marches or shifting protests to be banned.’

Sir Mark stated organisers of Saturday’s march had proven ‘full willingness to keep away from the Cenotaph and Whitehall and don’t have any intention of disrupting the nation’s remembrance occasions’.

‘Ought to this modification, we have been clear we are going to use powers and situations out there to us to guard places and occasions of nationwide significance in any respect prices,’ he stated.

The choice to permit the protest to happen prompted accusations of bias from House Secretary Suella Braverman. However on Friday, she gave the police her ‘full backing’ at a gathering with the commissioner.

DAC Taylor stated this was the primary time there had been a 24-hour guard across the Cenotaph for ‘this size of time’. This was in response to the assault on the Cenotaph in Rochdale simply days earlier than Armistice Day which sparked outrage.

When quizzed on whether or not feedback from politicians had raised the danger of dysfunction, he added: ‘This weekend goes to be tense. Narratives play into that. We can’t touch upon particular person narratives.’

Police guarding the Cenotaph this morning. The Met has vowed to ‘shield places and occasions of nationwide significance in any respect prices’

Sir Mark Rowley stated use of the facility to dam shifting protests is ‘extremely uncommon’ and should be reserved for instances the place there’s intelligence to counsel a ‘actual risk’ of significant dysfunction. Pictured: Poppy vendor counter is disturbed by pro-Palestinian demonstrators

Gangs of soccer hooligans have stated they’re planning to ‘crew up’ and ‘shield’ the Cenotaph from pro-palestine protesters this weekend.

One group, named ‘Soccer Lads Towards Extremism’, claims veterans have reached out and requested for his or her help ‘as a result of risk from the far-Left and pro-palestine supporters to disrupt the Remembrance Day parade’.

They’re calling on ‘all soccer lads up and down the nation to hitch us in standing shoulder to shoulder with our veterans that fought for our freedom’.

Ms Braverman had controversially accused the police of ‘taking part in favourites’ with protesters by clamping down onerous on Proper-wing demonstrations whereas taking a softly-softly strategy to these organised by teams on the Left.

In an article in The Instances, she repeated her description of pro-Palestinian demonstrations as ‘hate marches’ – a phrase no different minister had publicly endorsed, however which supporters say is backed up by examples of ugly anti-Semitism on earlier protests.

Earlier within the week Rishi Sunak took a extra measured tone insisting that he would maintain Sir Mark ‘accountable’ for what occurred on the protest. 

The House Secretary expressed her help for the Metropolitan Police at a gathering with Sir Mark Rowley yesterday, a supply near her stated. 

Mr Sunak continued to precise his confidence in her, however No 10 declined to say whether or not they had spoken since her inflammatory unauthorised article in The Instances. 

No 10 stated they had been working ‘very carefully’ forward of Saturday’s heavily-policed march, however selected to not repeat her widely-criticised language in a chunk for The Instances. 

Yesterday, the supply near Ms Braverman stated: ‘The House Secretary and the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police met this afternoon to debate the policing of demonstrations to be held tomorrow, on Armistice Day. 

‘The Commissioner outlined plans to proceed working to take care of public order, guarantee compliance with the regulation and preserve the security of individuals, law enforcement officials and most people. 

‘The House Secretary emphasised her full backing for the police in what will likely be a fancy and difficult state of affairs and expressed confidence that any criminality will likely be handled robustly.’ 

Ms Braverman (pictured leaving dwelling yesterday morning) yesterday gave police her ‘full backing’ after her widely-criticised allegations of police bias had been disowned by Downing Avenue

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his spouse Akshata Murty observe the Remembrance Crosses throughout a go to to the Area of Remembrance

Rishi Sunak talks with a supporter of the Royal British Legion within the QEII centre forward of Armistice Day

Steve Hartshorn, nationwide chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, which represents rank and file officers, stated it was unacceptable for Ms Braverman ‘to publicly try and tamper with the operational independence of policing’.

‘It’s fully affordable that the House Secretary would possibly elevate issues with senior police leaders in non-public, it’s unacceptable to publicly try and tamper with the operational independence of policing,’ he stated. 

‘Policing should be freed from politics. Operational independence is a key pillar of UK policing and should be revered. Policing doesn’t touch upon political manoeuvrings, and we anticipate to have the ability to perform our duties with out political interference.’ 

A former House Workplace everlasting secretary stated he didn’t perceive how Mr Sunak may proceed to believe in Ms Braverman.

Metropolitan Law enforcement officials guard the Cenotaph in Whitehall forward of Armistice Day tomorrow

Metropolitan Law enforcement officials guard the Cenotaph in Whitehall amid fears of vandalism

Sir David Normington instructed BBC Radio 4’s PM programme: ‘There are 2,000 unusual law enforcement officials who will likely be on the streets doing a really tough job this weekend. 

‘They’ve the correct to anticipate the House Secretary to be supporting them. As an alternative, she appears to be undermining them and truly making issues worse. And that is simply not the job of the House Secretary. 

‘I hear the Prime Minister has confidence in her. I do not know the way he can.’ The ex-mandarin stated he ‘despaired’ about her piece for The Instances. 

He stated: ‘She’s tried to intervene with the operational independence of the police. She’s accused them of partiality in the way in which they police demonstrations. She’s used inflammatory language. She’s even made some completely crass feedback and comparisons about Northern Eire.

‘That is not less than 4 explanation why she’s unsuitable to be House Secretary.’ 

In a prolonged briefing Friday, the Met Police additionally vowed to guard defiant poppy sellers who’re refusing to desert their stalls forward of deliberate pro-palestine protests on Armistice Day.

Officers stated they are going to be readily available to observe the intimidation of ‘beneficiant’ poppy sellers after issues had been raised over their security within the final week. 

Stalls had been lacking at Kings Cross, Euston, Victoria, London Bridge and different railway hubs this week regardless of it being days earlier than Armistice Day.

The Royal British Legion has stated that they’re ‘eager to get on with amassing’ and their merry band of volunteers really feel the identical, insisting that every one stations will now be manned till November 11.

Tracy Cooper (proper), 65, who has offered poppies in Paddington Station for 22 years, urged different poppy sellers to ‘exit and promote your poppy with satisfaction’. She was helped by Nicky Veschiera, 60, (left) and her good friend Audrey, additionally 60 (centre)

Jane Low, 80, and Maggie Davies, 80, (left to proper) man the stall at Excessive Avenue Kensington. They raked in £700 in two hours yesterday

Poppy sellers have instructed MailOnline that they are going to be not be cowed by the specter of protests, though three out of 4 at St Pancras final night time had been sporting bodycams in case there’s hassle.

Many thanked folks for his or her help as MPs urged Britons – and law enforcement officials – to put on poppies ‘with satisfaction’ and in ‘solidarity’.

The RBL has stated it’s working carefully with Community Rail, Transport for London, main supermarkets and the police to maintain volunteers secure. Additionally they spoke of security measures however didn’t broaden on these.

A spokesman stated: ‘We now have hundreds of sensible people who volunteer to gather donations for the Poppy Enchantment annually, throughout cities, cities, villages and communities. We’re reliant on the beneficiant time these volunteers provide and we prepare Poppy Enchantment collections as extensively as attainable however can’t present volunteer cowl in any respect places all through the entire enchantment.

‘The security of all Poppy Enchantment volunteers is our primary precedence. We now have permission to gather at each location the place Poppy Enchantment volunteers are amassing, and assess these places have measures in place to make sure the security of our volunteers.’