On January 18th 2025, thousands gathered in London for the National Demonstration for Palestine, a movement calling for justice, peace, and an end to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. It was a day filled with passion, solidarity, and an unwavering demand for truth to be told. Despite the overwhelmingly peaceful nature of the protest, the event was marred by an aggressive and disproportionate police response, leading to 77 shocking arrests of non-violent demonstrators.
From the moment the demonstration began, it was clear that the energy was one of unity and peaceful resistance. Attendees from all walks of life assembled with banners, Palestinian flags, and chants calling for an end to the violence in Gaza and an impartial media representation of the conflict.
Among the many speakers who took to the stage was Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour leader and a longtime advocate for Palestinian rights. He, along with several other speakers, condemned the ongoing atrocities and highlighted the international legal rulings that have accused Israeli officials of genocide. The message was clear: justice must prevail, and the world must not turn a blind eye to the suffering of the Palestinian people.
Despite the peaceful nature of the march, the police presence was unusually heavy and aggressive from the outset. Many demonstrators noted how officers seemed prepared for conflict, even though none was brewing. There was an unsettling tension, as if the authorities were waiting for an excuse to clamp down on protestors.
Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened. 77 peaceful demonstrators were arrested, an unprecedented and deeply troubling turn of events, especially given that the previous 24 protests over the past 16 months had seen minimal confrontations. It was clear to many that the police response was not about maintaining order but rather about intimidation and suppression.
A significant aspect of this protest was the growing frustration with the BBC’s biased reporting on the conflict. Protestors voiced their anger at the way the broadcaster continues to frame the war in Gaza, often portraying only one side as victims while ignoring the overwhelming evidence of war crimes and genocide being committed against Palestinians. This frustration is compounded by the fact that both the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) have taken action, acknowledging the reality of the atrocities and even issuing arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials. And yet, the BBC remains complicit in one-sided narratives that fail to hold the perpetrators accountable.
Many suspect that the heavy-handed police response at the protest was not a coincidence but rather a direct order from higher powers seeking to silence dissent. The establishment seems intent on discouraging public support for Palestine by criminalising peaceful protestors and allowing mainstream media to continue its biased reporting.
Despite the repression, the movement for Palestinian justice is stronger than ever. The excessive police response on January 18 has only reinforced the necessity of speaking out against injustice. The UK government and media must be held accountable for their roles in enabling the oppression of Palestinian voices, both at home and abroad.
