Veteran Poppy Seller ‘Punched and Kicked’ Amid Pro-Palestine Protest in Edinburgh
In a shocking attack at Edinburgh Waverley station, 78-year-old army veteran Jim Henderson was allegedly punched and kicked during a sit-in by pro-Palestine demonstrators. Surrounded by protesters waving “Freedom for Palestine” banners, Henderson struggled to escape after being shoved and hurt.
Harrowing Assault on 78-Year-Old Veteran
Henderson, a retired Royal Corps of Signals soldier who served in Northern Ireland, described the terrifying ordeal: “I was getting shoved backwards, in danger of falling. One of them stood on my foot and split my toe. As I bent down to pick up money, someone punched me in the back, then another hit my side.”
Despite the assault, Henderson regained his footing and managed to leave the station. “I’ve never known anything like it,” he said, shocked at the protesters’ chants blaming “the British Government, British people, Jews.”
Similar Intimidation at London Station Sparks Outrage
The Edinburgh incident wasn’t isolated. At London’s Charing Cross station, multiple poppy sellers reportedly faced similar intimidation from protesters during the same demonstration.
Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer condemned the attacks, insisting the poppy is “not a political symbol.” He urged protesters to make their voices heard without “trying to intimidate ordinary citizens trying to collect a bit of cash.”
Outrage Over Protesters Harassing Elderly Veterans
The attack has sparked fury and concern across the UK. The poppy remains a cherished symbol of remembrance for fallen soldiers — and many are alarmed that protests have turned violent and threatening. The debate over where political demonstrations cross the line into harassment rages on.
