Biggest-Ever Palestine March Set for London on 11 October Amid Protest Restrictions

London is set to host what organisers say could be the biggest pro-Palestine march yet, with thousands expected to gather on Saturday, 11 October to mark two years since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza.

The demonstration is being coordinated by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the Palestinian Forum in Britain, Friends of Al-Aqsa, Stop the War Coalition, the Muslim Association of Britain, and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

Organisers are calling on the public to join what they hope will be a record-breaking turnout, demanding an end to what they describe as genocide in Gaza and urging the UK government to defend the right to protest.

Allegations of Government Crackdown

In a joint statement, the coalition accused the British government of using “draconian police powers” to suppress peaceful demonstrations for Palestinian rights.

The statement claimed that, despite UN confirmation this week describing Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, ministers have refused to take meaningful action and instead have imposed unprecedented restrictions on marches — including banning certain routes through central London and around the Israeli embassy.

Organisers said four leaders of the movement — Ben Jamal, Chris Nineham, Sophie Bolt and Alex Kenny — are currently facing criminal charges for participating in a peaceful protest in January. They argued that anti-terror laws are now being misused to prosecute performance artists, criminalise protest activities such as banging drums or using megaphones, and silence dissent.

“The government is attempting to further empower the police through the Crime and Policing Bill, a move we see as a direct threat to freedom of expression and assembly,” the coalition said.

The 11 October March

The upcoming march is expected to start in central London, with organisers pledging to press ahead despite what they describe as a “de facto ban” on some routes.

“This will mark a full two years of Israel’s genocide in Gaza. We will not be prevented from building the largest possible demonstration,” the statement read.

The coalition is calling for the public to join the march under the slogans:

• Defend the right to protest
• Scrap the Crime and Policing Bill
• End the genocide in Gaza

Further details, including route and timings, are expected to be published closer to the date.