A wave of arrests swept through central London on Saturday as thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters defied police restrictions and marched towards Trafalgar Square in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

The protests came just hours before a long-awaited ceasefire was set to take effect in the besieged territory.

Organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), the rally began peacefully in Whitehall but intensified when protesters attempted to march toward Trafalgar Square, defying heavy-handed restrictions imposed by the Metropolitan Police.

Despite police attempts to stifle the demonstration, protesters broke through lines and moved toward iconic locations, including Trafalgar Square and the BBC’s headquarters at Portland Place. Protesters carried banners decrying biased media coverage, including one that read: “Labour, Tories, BBC. You show Russia’s crimes but hide Israel’s. Why?”

The Metropolitan Police responded with force, arresting 77 protesters under the Public Order Act. Critics say the arrests reflect a pattern of silencing voices advocating for Palestinian rights.

“This is the most significant escalation in criminality we’ve seen,” claimed Commander Adam Slonecki, leading the police operation. However, activists argue that the real escalation lies in the police crackdown on peaceful dissent.

Among those arrested was Chris Nineham, chief steward of the Stop the War Coalition. The organization condemned his arrest as “an outrageous assault on the Palestine movement” and a broader attack on civil liberties.

The demonstration comes amidst growing anger over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Since October 7, 2023, Israeli attacks have killed nearly 47,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured more than 110,700, according to local health authorities. Protesters are demanding that the international community hold Israel accountable for its genocidal war on Gaza and provide justice for Palestinian civilians.

The ceasefire, brokered by Qatar, is set to begin at 8:30 a.m. local time (0630 GMT) on Sunday. While protesters welcome the truce, many fear it may only be temporary without sustained international pressure on Israel.

The protests also highlighted growing global calls for accountability. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), reflecting the increasing recognition of the scale of atrocities committed against Palestinians.

Despite the arrests and police restrictions, the protests underscored the unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people. Demonstrators vowed to continue their efforts to demand justice, an end to the violence, and international recognition of the ongoing oppression faced by Palestinians.

As the ceasefire takes effect, the voices raised in London serve as a reminder that the fight for Palestinian freedom and justice is far from over. (ILKHA)