The largest demonstration today to end Israel’s mass killings in Gaza was in London, where the police estimated around 300,000 participants turned. The chants included “free, free Palestine” and “ceasefire now.”
The massive turnout was in spite of, or perhaps because of, British authorities’ efforts against the rally. Earlier in the week, Britain’s Home Secretary Suella Braverman agitated for more muscle from police against demonstrations, accusing the police of being too lenient. And Prime Minister Rishi Sunak weighed in to stop the rally. However, after Sunak lost his effort, he sulked that protesting on this particular weekend, the anniversary of the Nov. 11, 1918 end of World War I, is “not just disrespectful but offends our heartfelt gratitude to the memory of those who gave so much so that we may live in freedom and peace today.” It is not clear how continued warfare and killing of civilians would properly celebrate the day in 1918 when the world stopped fighting.
