Brits have reacted with outrage to an image of a pro-Palestinian protest surrounding a poppy-selling table in the centre of London.
The picture, now circulating on social media, shows the poppy sellers at Charing Cross station looking distraught and fed up as around them are dozens of people with Palestinian flags.
One reacted by describing the protesters as inflicting “unacceptable intimidation”, while another said: “Britain is falling.”
Ex-Conservative MEP David Bannerman said the protest was “out of control”.
Multiple commenters have questioned why the British Transport Police did not stop the protest.
Others have argued the protesters are not intentionally intimidating the poppy-sellers and they do not appear to be interacting with them in the image. It is not clear if they are deliberately surrounding them.
The protest is calling for an immediate ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas which started when the latter launched a devastating attack on October 7 that killed 1,400. Israel’s relentless airstrikes on Gaza have since killed an estimated 9,400, a number which is still rising.
The poignant image comes after Gary Lineker slammed Suella Braverman for describing the protests as “hate marches” – followed by a swift rebuttal from Piers Morgan.
A large planned protest to march through London next Saturday, Armistice Day, has been condemned by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The PM said in a statement: “To plan protests on Armistice Day is provocative and disrespectful, and there is a clear and present risk that the Cenotaph and other war memorials could be desecrated, something that would be an affront to the British public and the values we stand for.
“The right to remember, in peace and dignity, those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for those freedoms must be protected. I have asked the Home Secretary to support the Met Police in doing everything necessary to protect the sanctity of Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.”
Police are expected to launch a large-scale operation to crack down on the protests.
Home secretary Suella Braverman may grant police extra powers to prevent them interrupting ceremonies.
According to the Public Order Act 1986, Ms Braverman will be able to ban protests from certain areas if police believe there is a disorder risk.
The Met has committed to a “significant policing and security operation,” and added: “We’re absolutely committed to ensuring the safety and security of anyone attending commemorative events.”
The force said it will take a “zero-tolerance approach” to “those who commit hate crime and criminal disruption”.
Express.co.uk has contacted British Transport Police for comment.
