Police have arrested 12 pro-Palestinian protesters after their latest march in London, just a day after Rishi Sunak addressed the nation about “extremism”.
Westminster Police have confirmed that they arrested a dozen individuals around Trafalgar Square, including nine who failed to comply with the dispersal order.
Posting on social media, the force said: “We have imposed a condition which means protestors must remain on a route designated by officers.
“The intention is to minimise disruption to people + traffic in the area while facilitating the right to protest.”
Westminster Police said that some people had tried to climb onto statues.
A Section 35 dispersal order was then issued which meant anyone involved in the protest had to leave the scene.
The order “gives officers the power to move on anyone involved in, or likely to be involved in, anti-social behaviour or disorder”, the force said.
All protesters have now left the scene, police have confirmed.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign targeted Barclays bank this week, with protesters gathering at nearly 50 locations including the branch on Tottenham Court Road in central London.
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One protester held aloft a piece of cardboard saying: “Rishi you are the extremists, not us”. They then began chanting: “Rishi Sunak, resign.”
The arrests come just a day after the Prime Minister warned the nation of growing extremism, and urged demonstrators to “protest decently”.
Sunak said the UK has seen a “shocking increase in extremist disruption and criminality” from people trying to capitalise on Hamas’ attack on Israel.
The Prime Minister said following the October 7 attacks, regular marches taking place throughout the UK have sometimes turned violent.
The arrests come just a day after the Prime Minister warned the nation of growing extremism in the UK
PA
He urged protesters to not let extremists “hijack” the demonstrations. “Protest decently,” he said, and “with empathy for your fellow citizens. Let us prove these extremists wrong.”
GB News’ Martin Daubney attended the protest and took to social media to share his thoughts.
He posted: “The day after Rishi’s “line in the sand” the police feebly buckle to pro-Palestine protestors shouting ‘don’t touch her!’
“How long before the British people take to the streets in response to these preposterous, provocative weekly marches – and do the police’s job for them?”
Source Agencies
