Protest Against Arms Sales to Israel Escalates in London

Activists block roads and place symbolic 'body bags' outside Foreign Secretary David Lammy's residence in a call for a trade embargo.

Youth Demand activists have staged a protest in central London, laying ‘body bags’ outside the residence of Foreign Secretary David Lammy, representing children allegedly killed in Gaza since the onset of conflict on October 7, 2023. The demonstration took place around 11 am on Tuesday, with activists displaying a sign that read “Lammy Stop Arming Genocide” over the hedge of Lammy’s Tottenham home.

Earlier in the day, protesters disrupted traffic at several locations including Commercial Street, Angel Junction, and near Tower Bridge, beginning at 9 am.

The organisation has indicated further plans to block additional roads later on Tuesday.

The child-sized body bags were intended to symbolize the reported 17,400 children lost in the ongoing conflict, underscoring the group's call for the United Kingdom to implement a total trade embargo on Israel, while also highlighting their concerns regarding climate change.

A spokesperson for Youth Demand criticized Lammy's position, stating that despite acknowledging Israel's breach of international law, the UK has curtailed less than 10% of arms sales to Israel.

The spokesperson emphasized the group's contention that continued arms sales contribute to violence, claiming that “90% complicity with murder is still complicity with murder.”

The protests arise from Youth Demand's commitment to escalated direct action, as part of their strategy to significantly disrupt London through a series of protests planned throughout April.

The group, which is associated with Just Stop Oil’s youth wing, is also expected to join a rally with other pro-Palestinian organisations outside the Ministry of Defence later Tuesday evening.

In a related context, Quakers in Britain have condemned prior actions by law enforcement, which resulted in the detention of two women at Westminster Meeting House under allegations of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance.

Reports indicated that over 30 police officers were involved in these arrests, aimed at curbing disruptive tactics associated with the planned protests throughout the month.