Thousands gathered in London on ‘Land day’ and the first anniversary of the Great Return March responding to the call of the Palestinian Forum in Britain (PFB), Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), Stop the War coalition, Friend of Al-Aqsa (FOA) and the Muslim Association of Britain (MAB).
Adnan Hmidan, media spokesperson for the PFB stated that this demonstration is in solidarity with Gaza after the last attack and comes at the same time as the anniversary march of the ‘Great March of Return’ organised in Gaza.
Speakers at the rally speakers called for justice for Palestinian people and an end to 12-year-long blockade on Gaza by Israeli state, and also spoke out against attempts to smear criticism of Israel as antisemitic.
Zeid Truscott of the National Union of Students spoke of how student activists had faced attempts to clamp down on campaigning. Other speakers called for activists to make sure the Palestine Solidarity movement kept mobilising people—including for a national PSC demonstration on 11 May.
“We stand here today in solidarity with all those marching in Gaza, who will continue to march until they get their fundamental rights,” the PSC Director Ben Jamal said.
“Exist! Resist! Return!” and “Freedom to Palestine” some placards read.
A group of Jewish people also attended the rally to support the demonstration for Palestinians while a separate small group holding Israeli flags were holding a counter protest.
