The organizers of the large pro-Palestine marches that attracted hundreds of thousands in London have opted for smaller-scale actions in various villages, towns, and cities instead of a national march in the capital this Saturday.
Over 100 pro-Palestine gatherings advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza are scheduled throughout the UK.
Organizers anticipate tens of thousands to participate in vigils, protests, petitions, fundraisers, and marches across London boroughs and cities like Birmingham, Cambridge, Liverpool, and elsewhere this Saturday.
Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, highlighted that these rallies aim to demonstrate the support of "ordinary people" for a ceasefire.
“This Saturday, ordinary citizens across the UK will once again unite to demonstrate their overwhelming support for a ceasefire,” stated Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), a key coordinator of the upcoming march.
“They will express solidarity with Palestinians enduring unimaginable suffering and will advocate for addressing the underlying causes: Israel’s prolonged military control over Palestinian territories and its discriminatory system against Palestinians,” Jamal added.
A spokesperson for the Stop The War Coalition, one of the organizing groups, mentioned that these rallies precede a national demonstration scheduled for the following Saturday.
“Various groups nationwide are arranging local rallies and marches primarily to build momentum for the national demonstration set for next Saturday,” the spokesperson explained.
“Most of these events will feature speakers from different participating organizations, including representatives from trade unions,” she added, pointing out that some rallies, such as the one in Highbury, will involve trade unionists marching.
The Metropolitan Police announced plans for a "significant" policing operation in the capital this weekend. They intend to concentrate their deployments in areas "with substantial Jewish or Muslim communities" that have been experiencing increased unease and apprehension due to Middle East events impacting London.
Temporary Commander Karen Findlay, leading the operation, emphasized their commitment to facilitating lawful protests while minimizing disruptions to the lives of other Londoners.
“Our officers will promptly intervene if they witness any offenses. Importantly, hate has no place in London, and hate crimes will not be tolerated,” Findlay stated. “Though the recent protests have been predominantly peaceful, we have observed individuals engaging in offensive behavior or carrying signs that cross into racially or religiously aggravated offenses.”
These developments follow a peaceful march through central London a week ago, despite the prime minister and former home secretary advocating for its prohibition.
The national march, co-organized by PSC, Stop the War, the Muslim Association of Britain, Friends of Al-Aqsa, and other groups, is scheduled to resume in London on November 25. The organizers have asserted their determination to persist until a ceasefire is achieved.