Police are on the hunt for “hate” signs displayed during yesterday’s pro-Palestinian march following the arrests of dozens of violent far-right counter-protesters.
The Metropolitan Police has released images of activists attending yesterday’s 300,000-strong match they hope to identify “in relation to a hate crime”.
While the march was largely peaceful, pictures released in a series of social media posts show people carrying antisemitic placards through the streets.
The appeal for information on the pro-Palestinian protesters is just one half of the picture, with police also having described “extreme violence” from right-wing protestors.
Police described the actions of far-right groups as “extraordinary and deeply concerning”, as officers were injured while trying to protect the Cenotaph.
Images circulating online show a woman carrying a sign displaying the Jewish Star of David wrapped around a Nazi swastika and the slogan: “No British politician should be a ‘friend of Israel’.”
In two other photos, three individuals were seen wearing balaclavas and green “Hamas-style” headbands.
The Met has said it is “actively seeking” people identified in the pictures, and the British Transport Police is seeking a woman wanted for questioning in connection to “an anti-semitic hate crime”.
While the Met is seeking several protesters in connection with scattered incidents, the vast majority of arrests were of people organising against them.
On Saturday night, the force arrested 145 people, primarily far-right counter-protesters, on charges including assault, possession of weapons, criminal damage, public order, inciting racial hatred and possession of drugs.
Social media users have posted footage of the abuse dealt to pro-Palestinian protesters over the weekend, and police have issued similar appeals for the other half of Saturday’s activists.
Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter this morning, ex-Liverpool FC footballer turned pundit Stan Collymore shared a video showing counter-protesters shouting slurs and swearing at peaceful protesters.
Several were heard shouting “f***ing c**t” as they clashed at Waterloo station on Saturday evening, and calling them “terrorist f***ers”.
The BTP has since said it is seeking four men involved in the “racially aggravated” Saturday night altercation.
The service said: “Officers are releasing this series of images following a racially aggravated altercation at Waterloo Station yesterday, November 11.”
