Pro-Palestinian March in London Draws Hundreds Despite Ban

Hundreds participated in a pro-Palestinian demonstration in London on Sunday, despite a government ban that followed police claims the event was organized by a group “supporting the Iranian regime.”

Interior Minister Shabana Mahmoud stated earlier in the week that the ban was necessary to “prevent serious social unrest,” particularly amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East, where Iran has retaliated against attacks from the United States and Israel.

The Metropolitan Police noted that this was the first ban on protest marches in the capital since 2012, although stationary gatherings were permitted.

Protesters taking part in the annual Al-Quds Day event were kept separated from counter-demonstrators by a distance, gathering on opposite sides of the River Thames, near parliament.

As a response to Israel’s actions in Gaza following the attack on October 7, pro-Palestinian demonstrators waved flags and held signs with messages such as “Stop Israeli war crimes.”

“I feel very strongly that what happened to the Palestinians was a huge injustice,” said 81-year-old Jean Ups, a pensioner from south London. “And I’m here now in part because of the illegal attacks against Iran. I know Iran is not perfect, but the Iranian people should take matters into their own hands,” he added.

Counter-demonstrators gathered across the river, displaying banners and flags representing America and Israel, along with Iran’s lion-and-sun flag, popular with exiles. They held signs that read “Make Iran great again” and “Stand with our Jewish friends,” while chanting “Long live the King,” in reference to Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last monarch.

Shiva, a 37-year-old chef from London, noted, “We support the Shah of Iran and are asking America and Israel to help us eliminate the Revolutionary Guards. They don’t care about the people; they just kill us. It’s a cruel regime.”

The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), which organizes the annual Al-Quds Day march, condemned the ban as a “political condemnation,” claiming that the police were relying on unfounded assertions about the group.

The march was described by the IHRC as “an international demonstration in support of Palestinians and oppressed peoples around the world,” following the announcement of the ban.

Ali, a 19-year-old participant, expressed his intention to “sympathize with the oppressed,” adding, “The last few years have been a real wake-up call in terms of the repression we’ve seen not only in Gaza but around the world.”

Mahmoud mentioned on Tuesday that he was “satisfied” the ban was “necessary” given the anticipated size and conditions of the march. He expected “the full application of the law to those who spread hatred and division.”

Al-Quds Day, which means Jerusalem in Arabic, originated in Iran in 1979 to show support for Palestinians, and is now observed worldwide annually to protest Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem.

Deputy Commissioner Ade Adelekan from the London Police stated the march’s organizers were aligned with the Iranian government. During the rally, police reported three arrests: one for suspected support of a proscribed organization, another for dangerous driving, and the third for threats and abusive behavior.