London protest: Police impose conditions on mass demonstrations in Westminster this Saturday

Police have imposed conditions on a large London protest planned for Westminster this Saturday as two major marches converge in central London, Scotland Yard said.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed a significant deployment across Westminster after organisers announced parallel events: the Together Alliance march setting off from Park Lane at 1pm and a separate Palestine Coalition march forming at the southern end of Exhibition Road from midday before moving toward Hyde Park Corner and joining the Together Alliance route on Piccadilly.

The Together Alliance event, which includes speeches and musical performances backed by public figures such as Sir Lenny Henry and Paloma Faith (neither expected to attend), will finish on Whitehall. A music event in Trafalgar Square is also planned, featuring artists including Leigh-Anne Pinnock.

Authorities have imposed public order conditions that ban the joint rally from continuing after 5pm, and a pre-recorded video message from London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan will be played at the Whitehall stage. Green Party leader Zack Polanski is expected to speak and has said: “Our plan is simple … never back down in the face of hate.”

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jon Savell, who is leading the policing operation, said officers will aim to allow lawful protest while minimising disruption. He acknowledged concerns about the Palestine Coalition form-up point’s proximity to a synagogue and said participants must form up south of the junction with Prince Consort Gardens, about half a mile from the synagogue, with officers deployed locally to guide attendees.

The Metropolitan Police also warned of other demonstrations in Westminster over the weekend, including protests against the Iranian regime, and noted lessons from past large rallies that produced disorder.

Police said the operation is under way and conditions remain in force; officers are deployed across the route and the policing operation is ongoing.