Police make multiple arrests at London al-Quds day demonstration

WorldPolitics
16 Mar 2026 • 12:06 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • Protesters were arrested in central London during an al-Quds day demonstration, which saw over 1,000 Metropolitan Police officers deployed to manage the event.
  • 12 individuals were arrested, including one for allegedly showing support for a proscribed organisation, one for dangerous driving, and another for threatening and abusive behaviour.
  • Crowds at the protest chanted "death, death to the IDF" and "from the river to the sea”, with some displaying images of Iran’s late leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
  • The Home Secretary approved a police request for a month-long ban on the annual al-Quds day march, marking the first such restriction since 2012, though a static protest was permitted.
  • Police separated the al-Quds day protest on Albert Embankment from a counter-protest on Millbank, using the River Thames as a barrier, with both demonstrations ordered to conclude by 3pm.

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