Protester carried away by police as 10 activists arrested ahead of King’s Speech
A protester was carried away by police as at least 10 activists were arrested in central London ahead of the King’s Speech.
The Metropolitan Police said a number of people had been detained in Westminster on Wednesday on suspicion of causing a nuisance.
The force said another group of about 25 demonstrators had gathered at Victoria Embankment Gardens, with further arrests being made.
Footage posted on social media showed uniformed police carrying an activist away from a large group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators. It is not clear whether the man was later arrested.
In the clip, the group of protesters can be seen carrying flags and heard chanting: “Free, free, Palestine”.
Mass arrests of Youth Demand happening now at Victoria Embankment Gardens pic.twitter.com/Rxa7fTDzhJ
— Rangzen (@revoltinghippie) July 17, 2024
Posting on X, formerly Twitter, a spokesman for the force said: “There’s a significant policing presence in central London ahead of the State Opening of Parliament.
“Last week, Youth Demand said they planned to disrupt the event. An hour ago, officers arrested 10 of them in Westminster on suspicion of conspiracy to cause public nuisance. A further 20 to 25 have now gathered in Victoria Embankment Gardens, and further arrests are being made.”
Dozens of police officers were stationed at the scene.
In an email sent earlier this month, Youth Demand, which does not believe the Prime Minister has been strong enough in its criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza, called for members to disrupt the King’s Speech.
It said: “Youth Demand will be disrupting the State Opening of Parliament. We disrupt because it is our duty to fight back in every way we non-violently can and because we refuse to despair, but instead are full of hope that another way is possible.”
Youth Demand, an organisation formed of different pro-Palestinian and environmentalist groups, drew heavy criticism earlier this year after targeting Sir Keir Starmer’s home on April 9.
Lady Starmer, Sir Keir’s wife, said she was “effectively forced out of her own home” when pro-Palestine activists launched the protest, a court heard.
Three activists – Leonorah Ward, 21, of Leeds, Zosia Lewis, 23, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Daniel Formentin, 24, of Leeds – were found guilty of public order offences.