PRO-PALESTINE marches are going ahead with protesters gathering in London and Manchester.
The demonstrations are taking place despite calls from Sir Keir Starmer and police to cancel the events following the terror attack on a synagogue in Manchester on Thursday.
Sir Keir Starmer earlier called on the protesters to ‘show respect’ to the Jewish community[/caption]
Dozens of police officers have been seen lined up next to Nelson’s Column in central London ahead of the arrival of hundreds of protesters supporting banned group Palestine Action.
Just after 1pm, protesters from the group Defend our Juries arrived in Trafalgar Square began clapping before sitting down.
They chanted “free, free Palestine” and some began writing “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action”, while others held pre-written signs.
A woman in blue scrubs stood in the crowds with a sign reading “nurse against genocide”.
Several campaigners from the Stop the War coalition are already in Trafalgar Square, holding placards and Palestine flags.
The Metropolitan Police said it had arrested six people over the banner draped on Westminster Bridge in support of banned group Palestine Action.
The force said: “Officers were quickly on scene, the banner had been removed and the six people involved have been arrested for supporting a proscribed organisation.”
Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian supporters grew to around 100 before speeches began outside Manchester Cathedral.
Scotland Yard chief Sir Mark Rowley had asked for protests to be postponed due to the drain on resources while extra officers are stationed at synagogues.
He also warned the rallies “will likely create further tensions and some might say lacks sensitivity” in the wake of the attack.
It comes after pro-Palestine protesters took to the streets just hours after Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, were murdered by Jihad Al-Shamie.
The pair were brutally killed by the 35-year-old jihadist during Yom Kippur – the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
Speaking at yesterday’s Manchester synagogue vigil, locals turned on ministers, yelling “you have blood on your hands”.
Furious mourners slammed the Government for not doing enough to stop the “hate marches”, which are still set to go ahead.
