Tens of thousands march in London in far-right and pro-Palestine protests

"Police in the British capital deployed 4,000 officers, including reinforcements from outside the city, on Saturday and pledged the most assertive possible use of our powers in what they called their biggest public order operation in years. Armoured vehicles, horses, dogs, drones and helicopters were also deployed to manage the separate protest marches, the UK Metropolitan Police said."

"By 1200 GMT, shortly after both marches started, police said they had made 11 arrests for a range of offences. They had earlier forecast turnout of at least 80,000 about 50,000 at Robinson's Unite the Kingdom march, and 30,000 more expected to go to the Nakba Day rally. Authorities had imposed various conditions on the two rallies over their routes and timings, in a bid to keep rival attendees apart."

"Prosecutors were told to consider whether certain protest placards or chants may amount to offences and stir up aggression during the rallies. This is not about restricting free speech, said the Crown Prosecution Service's director, Stephen Parkinson. It is about preventing hate crime and protecting the public, particularly at a time of heightened tensions."

"The police force, which estimates its operation will cost 4.5 million pounds ($6m), warned in a statement that it would adopt a zero-tolerance approach. That includes, for the first time, making organisers legally responsible for ensuring invited speakers do not break hate speech laws. The British government earlier blocked 11 foreign nationals from entering the country for the Unite the Kingdom rally."

Tens of thousands marched through central London in two separate protests held at the same time as Nakba Day. A pro-Palestine demonstration took place a day after Nakba Day, while a far-right rally associated with Tommy Robinson was staged as “Unite the Kingdom.” Police deployed 4,000 officers, including reinforcements, and used armoured vehicles, horses, dogs, drones, and helicopters to manage the marches. By 1200 GMT, police reported 11 arrests for offences. Authorities forecast at least 80,000 attendees across both events and imposed conditions on routes and timings to keep rival attendees apart. Prosecutors were instructed to consider whether placards or chants could amount to offences. The Crown Prosecution Service said the approach aimed to prevent hate crime and protect the public, and police warned of a zero-tolerance approach, including making organisers legally responsible for invited speakers’ compliance with hate speech laws.

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