Pro-Palestine protestors blocked traffic on London’s iconic Tower Bridge on Saturday evening after thousands gathered earlier at Trafalgar Square for a rally organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
The Metropolitan Police responded to the scene “within seconds,” according to their statement, and swiftly moved to enforcement actions as smaller groups dispersed from the main protest. Authorities confirmed that the protest began at 2pm at Trafalgar Square, drawing vast crowds, and continued until 4pm.
Shortly after 4pm, the Met Police updated the public, noting that while a group of demonstrators remained in Trafalgar Square, a smaller faction had moved to Whitehall. They emphasised that traffic in the area was not being significantly impacted, and officers were engaging with attendees to ensure public safety.
By 5pm, police reported that the crowds had cleared from both Trafalgar Square and Whitehall, although a police presence remained to monitor the situation and maintain safety.
At 6.15pm, the Met Police tweeted that a group of protestors had blocked Tower Bridge. However, by 6.33pm, officers had successfully dispersed the group, and traffic flow resumed within minutes.
The demonstration comes in the wake of recent developments in the Hamas-Israeli conflict, with Israel confirming that its troops had killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza. In response, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer stated that Sinwar’s death should not be mourned, asserting that the Hamas leader bore responsibility for the deaths of both Israelis and Palestinians.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign organized the rally to call for further action from the British government in response to the ongoing conflict, which has intensified since October 7, 2023.
Police Appeal for Calm
The Metropolitan Police have appealed for calm and cooperation from the public during these protests, emphasising their commitment to maintaining safety and minimising disruption in central London.
