A pro-Palestine demonstration in central London descended into clashes with police after protesters climbed onto the Battle of Britain Monument, damaged a display of poppy wreaths and shouted abuse at officers.
The Metropolitan Police arrested 20 people during the march, including six on suspicion of criminal damage, as thousands of demonstrators gathered to protest over the treatment of Palestinians in Gaza.
Some protesters carrying Revolutionary Communist Party (RCP) flags climbed onto the memorial, which commemorates the British airmen who defended the country during the early stages of the Second World War.
Police Clash with Protesters on Victoria Embankment
The confrontation began when Metropolitan Police officers attempted to arrest demonstrators wearing face coverings on Victoria Embankment.
A group of RCP supporters reportedly intervened, leading to scuffles as officers tried to make the arrests. Police detained two protesters on the ground, prompting other activists to surround them. Officers subsequently drew their batons as tensions escalated.
The force later confirmed that 20 people had been arrested. Among those detained were a man and a woman reportedly carrying placards supporting Palestine Action, a proscribed organisation.
Six arrests were made on suspicion of criminal damage.
Battle of Britain Memorial Targeted During Demonstration
The most contentious scenes unfolded at the Battle of Britain Monument, where protesters climbed onto the stone-and-bronze structure and remained there for around 30 minutes.
Demonstrators banged on the memorial while chanting insults against the police, including calls of “f*** the police”. Others gathered at its base and shouted “scum” at officers attempting to manage the crowd.
Some protesters carried banners bearing the message, “For Palestine to live, imperialism must die.”
The monument commemorates the Royal Air Force personnel who defended Britain during the Battle of Britain in 1940, a pivotal air campaign fought over southern England, including Kent and London.
Poppy Wreaths Damaged as Public Anger Grows
A display of poppy wreaths at the foot of the monument was kicked apart during the unrest, prompting criticism from people who viewed the actions as an insult to Britain’s war dead.
The wreaths included tributes laid by members of the Battle of Britain Fighter Association to mark the anniversary of the historic air battle the previous month.
Steve Chilcott, 57, who helped clear the damaged poppies, condemned the scenes.
“I think this is disgusting,” he said, expressing dismay at protesters climbing over the memorial while waving communist flags and shouting.
He added that the behaviour showed a lack of respect for Britain and for previous generations who had fought to defend the freedoms enjoyed today.
Political Figures Condemn Conduct at Memorial
Former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith criticised the protesters, arguing that their actions showed contempt for those who had defended Britain. His father had served as a Spitfire pilot during the Battle of Britain.
“People who stamp on the memory of the heroes of the past are not fit to be in Britain,” Duncan Smith told The Mail on Sunday.
He said the freedoms demonstrators exercised to express their views had been secured through the sacrifices of those who fought in the past.
Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy also condemned the scenes, using the word “scum” to describe those involved.
Man Claims He Punched Police Officer
During the arrests, one man was asked what had led to his detention.
He reportedly replied: “I punched him [a policeman] in the face.”
The incident formed part of a wider series of confrontations between officers and demonstrators as police attempted to maintain control of the march.
Other protesters used loudspeakers to broadcast sirens and chanted the French phrase “tout le monde déteste la police”, meaning “everyone hates the police”.
The slogan has also been associated with recent student demonstrations in France, where officers have reportedly been injured during unrest.
March Held Days After October 7 Anniversary
The demonstration took place days after the third anniversary of Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. Around 1,200 people were killed in the attacks, while 251 others were taken hostage, according to the figures cited in the report.
The pro-Palestine march was organised by the Palestine Coalition, an umbrella group campaigning over the situation in Gaza. Organisers described the protest as a demonstration against what they called “three years of genocide” in the territory.
The Stop The Hate group also staged a counter-demonstration along the route in support of Israel.
The protest drew competing claims over its size. Organisers said 250,000 people had taken part, while the Metropolitan Police had earlier expected attendance of no more than 10,000. No official figure was available when the report was published.
Royal British Legion Calls for Respect for War Memorials
The scenes prompted a response from the Royal British Legion, which emphasised the importance of protecting memorials and wreaths dedicated to members of the armed forces.
A spokesperson said: “War memorials and wreaths honour the memory of every member of the Armed Forces who has made the ultimate sacrifice, and deserve to be treated with the utmost respect.”
The arrests and damage to the poppy display have intensified criticism of the conduct of some demonstrators, while the wider march was organised around opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The police investigation will determine the circumstances surrounding the arrests and the alleged damage to the monument and wreaths.
