As the carnage continues in Gaza, hundreds of thousands will march in London once again for an immediateceasefire and an end to arms sales to Israel.
The crowds at tomorrow’s demonstration (8 June) will be addressed by a series of brilliant speakers and performers including poet and presenter Michael Rosen, US Amazon labour organiser Chris Smalls, spoken word performer George the Poet, actor Juliet Stephenson, TSSA general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust, CWU general secretary Dave Ward, Palestinian ambassador Husam Zomlot, and many more.
At the last march, a serious issue emerged when the Met Police placed a counter demonstration within a metre of the main demonstration, leaving pro-Palestine protestors exposed to abuse and direct threats. The Met apologised for their actions when we made these concerns public and indicated that Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist would meet with us to ensure that such scenes would not be repeated.
No such meeting has been offered despite our repeated requests. Of even greater concern, our requests over the past two days to address with the Gold Commander in charge how the counter demonstration will be managed to ensure safety, have been rebuffed.
Despite the late stage in preparations we have asked for the third time for such a meeting.
We will not allow these issues or the actions of counter demonstrators to distract us from ensuring that the demands for an end to UK complicity in genocide once more echo on the streets of London. The demonstration will be assembling at 12.30 pm at Russell Square and marching to Parliament.