Organisers estimate ‘more than 800,000’ pro-Palestine protesters are marching in London
Organisers of the pro-Palestine march in London have said the latest estimate was that “more than 800,000” people have taken to the streets, according to the PA news agency.
A woman using a speaker system from the stage at the end of the march in Nine Elms said: “There are more than 800,000 of us here today and that number may be as high as one million. Making this the second largest march in British history.”
The Met police said earlier that they estimated 300,000 people were marching.
Key events
Earlier in the day, Guardian photographer Christian Sinibaldi captured a poignant image of one protester in London kneeling to pray, next to a Palestinian flag, as his fellow protesters march past.
Steve Hartshorn, national chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, which represents rank and file officers, said:
Today’s events have spotlighted policing throughout a challenging, volatile situation.
The amount of operational planning leading up to the event, and the hard work of highly skilled, public order-trained police officers on the front line, making decisions in the face of unpredictability, truly is impressive.
We will continue to support all members before, during and after delivering policing operations, including ensuring they have access to the best equipment, conditions and remuneration as they carry out this immensely physically demanding work, working incredibly long shifts, to keep the public as safe as possible.”
A group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators have walked past the Cenotaph in London, but a small number have remained there and are clashing verbally with a small group of counter-protesters, according to PA reporters at the scene.
A group of about 10 police officers, who have asked the counter-protesters to move on, are standing by the monument.
Here are some scenes from Parliament Square.
The BBC is reporting clashes between police and counter-protesters at Parliament Square.
A crowd of roughly 150 counter-protesters are loitering around Parliament Square and are approaching people who were at today’s pro-Palestinian march, according to the broadcaster.
An offensive chant about Allah has been repeated, and a Palestinian flag was snatched from a protester and ripped up by a group of counter-protesters, it reports, adding that “several counter-protesters have been arrested and police are using batons on the crowd”.
People set off fireworks during the protest when it got dark.
British Transport police have said they have made no arrests at Waterloo station:
As we moved to our arrest phase in Waterloo station, protesters began to disperse. No arrests were made.
The station is clear now, and passengers are able to use the station as normal.”
British Transport police say that some pro-Palestinian protesters have staged a sit-in at Waterloo station.
The British Transport police (BTP) said officers were urging people to disperse after an order was put in place prohibiting trespassory assembly at a number of London train stations.
BTP said in a post on X: “Following engagement with protest liaison officers, protesters are refusing to leave Waterloo station as agreed.
“Therefore we are moving to arrest phase.”
Protesters earlier staged a brief sit-in at Victoria station.
Speeches have ended and organisers have asked the crowd to disperse
The speeches have ended in Nine Elms and organisers have asked the crowds to peacefully disperse.
Protesters were urged to not leave alone for safety reasons.
Further fireworks were set off as people started to disperse, PA reports.
A statue commemorating the casualties of the Machine Gun Corps in the first world war has been wrapped in a Palestinian flag on Armistice Day.
