51�Թ���

LONDON, UK - JAN. 18, 2025: More than 70 people were arrested in London Saturday (Jan. 18) following clashes with police as pro-Palestinian protesters attempted to reach Trafalgar Square in a solidarity rally just hours before a cease-fire agreement is set to take effect in Gaza.Thousands had gathered earlier in Whitehall for a rally organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) to show support for Palestinians ahead of a planned Gaza cease-fire set to take effect Sunday morning.However, tensions flared when protesters clashed with police, with a large group breaking through a police line and marching to Trafalgar Square, defying the Metropolitan Police’s strict conditions.According to a Metropolitan Police statement, 77 people have been arrested for breaching the Public Order Act.- 'This is the highest number of arrests we have seen'Commander Adam Slonecki, who led the policing operation, said in a statement: “We have policed more than 20 national protests organized by the PSC since October 2023."“This is the highest number of arrests we have seen, in response to the most significant escalation in criminality," he added.“I am quite confident this was a coordinated breach with the intention being to reach the BBC at Portland Place in defiance of the conditions," he said.“We are in possession of footage from officers’ body worn cameras, from CCTV and from social media. We know who was involved in leading the movement of so many people through police lines. Investigations are now underway and we will make every effort to bring prosecutions against those we identify," he explained.Meanwhile, Stop the War said the police have arrested the organization's chief steward, Chris Nineham, claiming the police “jumped on him” and “forced him on the ground.”(Footage by Zuhal Demirci/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)