Photos from Britain’s largest Palestine demo in history
- Text by Ben Smoke
- Photography by Aiyush Pachnanda
On Saturday May 22, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets for a second weekend of action and protest in solidarity with the people of Palestine.
Despite the announcement of a ceasefire on Friday (May 21) after days of relentless Israeli bombing, Palestinians have continued to face violence. On the same day the ceasefire was declared, Israeli police stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and fired tear gas at Palestinians after Friday prayers. The following day (May 22), protestors took to the streets in London and other parts of the UK to make clear that the fight must continue until Israel’s brutal occupation comes to an end.
Around 180,000 people attended in London, making it the biggest pro-Palestine demonstrations in British history. Beginning in the Embankment the crowd snaked its way through London, passing Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, moving through Picadilly Circus and ending with a rally in Hyde Park.
Crowds were addressed from a temporary stage in the park by representatives of the anti-war movement, unions and political parties including Labour MPs John McDonnell and Zarah Sultana and ex-leader of the Labour party, Jeremy Corbyn.
Following the rally, a small number of demonstrators made their way through the park to the Israeli embassy in High Street Kensington. After an hour or so spent chanting at the gates to the embassy, the crowd, numbering a few hundred made their way through west London, where intermittent clashes with police ended with a violent kettle.
Our reporter and photographer, Aiyush Pachnanda, was among those kept in the kettle and despite presenting a press card, was prevented from leaving multiple times. He was there for the day to capture the action.
Follow Aiyush Pachnanda on Instagram.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
You might like
Vintage photos of London street life at the turn of the millennium
London 1995-2005 — In her new photobook, Joan Piekny reflects on a decade shooting the styles and subcultures of the UK capital’s streets, just before technology .
Written by: Miss Rosen
Princess Julia: “I always state my age as I can’t believe I’m still around”
First lady — As the latest Artist-In-Residence of Huck 83, the London nightlife legend speaks to Josh Jones and provides a few recommendations and words of wisdom.
Written by: Josh Jones
A luminous portrait of Black life over six decades
Shared Memories — As staff photographer for The New York Times, Chester Higgins captured Black culture and spiritual connection like no other. A new exhibition celebrates his life and impact.
Written by: Miss Rosen
A tender portrait of life and ritual from Mexico City’s streets
Órale — For the last six years of his life, photographer, collector and designer Michel Hurst documented death rituals, street life and religious pageantry in contemporary Mexico. A new monograph showcases his work.
Written by: Roxana Diba
In photos: Washington DC’s Black communities facing up to gentrification
A Language We Share — A new exhibition featuring the work of Beverly Price and Gordon Parks preserves historically Black neighbourhoods in the USA, before development and economic forces made them disappear.
Written by: Miss Rosen
On the frontlines of Britain’s ’80s protest movements
Protest and Equality — Against a backdrop of Thatcherism, hospital closures and global conflict, photographer Sarah Saunders was a documentarian of the long decade’s effects on society, as well as the communities actively resisting it.
Written by: Miss Rosen
