London march expected to draw up to 10,000 as police set route and conditions

Central London is expected to see between 7,000 and 10,000 people taking part in a pro-Palestine march, with the demonstration due to form on the Embankment at midday. The Palestine Coalition is organising the march, and the Metropolitan Police has imposed conditions on it to reduce the risk of serious disruption to communities.

A separate counter-protest organised by Stop The Hate is also planned for today, outside New Scotland Yard. The police have imposed conditions on that event too. The two demonstrations and the restrictions on where and when they can take place may affect people travelling through the area.

Route and timings

The march route set by the Met runs from the Embankment via Westminster Bridge, York Road and Waterloo Bridge, then along the Strand to Whitehall. The rally is due to end by 6.30pm. Speeches and music must finish earlier, by 5.30pm, under the conditions imposed by the force.

Stop The Hate protesters must stay within a designated area outside the Met’s headquarters, with their assembly due to conclude at 2.30pm. The force says it has been in contact with the group’s representatives. It has not announced further details about how either demonstration may affect traffic or public transport.

Police powers and organisers

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Carl Galvin, who is leading the operation, said the police presence would be “significant”. He said officers would use powers under the Public Order Act to require people in the protest area to remove face coverings if they were wearing them to conceal their identity. Someone who refuses can be arrested.

Galvin said officers would assess individual cases and respond in a measured way, while acting where groups were concealing their identities to intimidate or commit offences. He said the event’s proximity to the third anniversary of the terror attack on Israel could mean it has a greater impact on communities than previous national marches.

The Palestine Coalition includes Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War, CND, Muslim Association of Britain, Friends of Al Aqsa and Palestinian Forum in Britain. A separate National March for Palestine is also due to take place in Edinburgh from 1pm.

This report draws on information from LBC and Herts Advertiser.