A pro-Palestinian rally in Westminster, London, escalates into clashes between demonstrators and police, leading to three officers injured and 40 arrests. The protest, organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, attracts thousands and extends beyond its planned time, causing tensions to rise.
On May 28, 2024, a pro-Palestinian rally in Westminster, London, escalated into clashes between demonstrators and police, resulting in three officers being injured and 40 arrests. The demonstration, organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, protested Israeli military actions in Rafah and initially attracted between 8,000 and 10,000 participants.
Tensions began to rise as the protest extended beyond its planned end time of 8 p.m. A group of around 500 protesters refused to disperse, leading to confrontations with police. Specialist units were deployed, and during the discord, a female officer sustained a serious facial injury from a bottle thrown by a protester.
Footage and reports from the scene showed a heavy police presence, with officers employing batons and creating cordons to control the situation. By around 2 a.m. on May 29, all demonstrators had left the area, and Bridge Street was reopened.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed an investigation is ongoing to identify the suspect responsible for the bottle incident. Future demonstrations organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign are expected, including one scheduled for the coming Saturday in central London.
The event follows heightened tensions resulting from an attack by Hamas and subsequent Israeli military actions, which have led to significant casualties on both sides.
