Organizers anticipate large turnout as police prepare for potential clashes with counter-demonstrators.
A significant pro-Palestine protest is scheduled to occur in central London on Saturday, organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC).
The campaign, alongside several other groups, anticipates that hundreds of thousands of participants will gather.
The demonstration will commence at noon in Whitehall and proceed to the U.S. Embassy in Nine Elms Lane, where speakers are expected to address attendees.
This event follows recent comments made by former President
Donald Trump regarding the Gaza Strip, where he suggested that the United States could assume responsibility for development efforts in the region, referring to his vision of transforming it into the 'Riviera of the Middle East.' Trump has also proposed relocating displaced Palestinians, estimated to number around two million, to neighboring countries such as Jordan.
The PSC has characterized Trump's proposal as a 'blueprint for a crime of historic proportions.' In contrast, the anti-Palestine protest group, Stop The Hate, plans to hold a counter-demonstration at the junction of Grosvenor Road and Vauxhall Bridge, close to the main protest route.
The Metropolitan Police have implemented measures to separate the two groups to prevent conflict, stemming from previous incidents where protests had escalated.
Commander Glen Pavelin emphasized that adequate resources would be deployed to ensure public order and safety during the events.
Police have set regulations under the Public Order Act, establishing specific routes, assembly areas, and timeframes for both protests.
The pro-Palestinian march must commence by 1 p.m. and conclude by 4 p.m, while the counter-protest must disperse by 3:30 p.m.
This protest is significant as it will mark the 24th major pro-Palestine event in the UK since the conflict escalated on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched an extensive attack in Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of around 250 individuals.
The Palestinian death toll in response to Israeli military actions has reportedly exceeded 46,000, raising global concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
As preparations unfold, the police reiterate the importance of lawful assembly and public safety, urging participants to report any suspicious activities to law enforcement officials on site.