Pro-Palestine Activists and UKIP Supporters Plan Separate Westminster Demonstrations

London (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) 30 January 2026 – Pro-Palestine activists and UKIP supporters have police approval for separate demonstrations outside Westminster tomorrow. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign organises a march from Hyde Park to Parliament Square while UKIP stages a static rally at Richmond Terrace. Metropolitan Police establishes a 200-metre buffer zone between the expected 8,000 participants.

Both events coincide with parliamentary debate on Gaza ceasefire. Road closures affect central London from 1200 to 1800 GMT.

Palestine Solidarity Campaign national secretary Ben Jamal confirmed 8,000 marchers will proceed via Oxford Street and Trafalgar Square. UKIP leader Nick Tenconi notified authorities of a 2,500-capacity rally featuring 12 speakers.

Palestine Solidarity Campaign Route and Assembly Points

The march commences 1200 GMT at Marble Arch with 12 assembly points across Hyde Park. Stewards numbering 280 coordinate participant flow through Regent Street arriving Trafalgar Square 1400. Final speeches conclude Parliament Square 1600 followed by dispersal via Victoria Embankment.

Jamal told The Guardian the family-friendly event calls for immediate ceasefire and Palestinian state recognition. Twelve sound systems positioned along route capacity 28,000 attendees total.

Organisers established first aid stations at Speakers Corner, Nelson's Column, and Westminster Bridge. Wheelchair-accessible viewing platforms accommodate 180 mobility-impaired participants.

PSC organisers expressed concern about UKIP proximity to their route.

Palestine Solidarity Campaign said in X post,

"Palestine coalition statement on UKIP march We are deeply concerned by the decision by the Met police to permit a UKIP march to end in Trafalgar Square tomorrow (31 Jan), not far from where our national march for Palestine will be passing."

UKIP Richmond Terrace Rally Authorisation and Speakers

UKIP submitted Section 11 notification 15 January securing Richmond Terrace 1100-1700. The 50x30 metre site features a stage hosting 12 speakers including Brexit campaign manager Matthew Richardson and Reform UK defector Louise Brown.

Tenconi told GB News the counter-demonstration defends British values against Islamist extremism. Event capacity reaches 2,500 standing with 420-seat VIP enclosure. Stewards numbering 68 distribute placards reading

"No Surrender" and "Protect British Jobs".

Amplification restricted to 92 decibels per police conditions. Leafleting confined to 20x10 metre zone on Bridge Street.

Metropolitan Police Deployment and Separation Measures

Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist confirmed 2,800 officers including mounted branch and public order units. Section 60 enhanced stop-search authorised Parliament Square vicinity 1800-2200.

Public order commander Louisa Jenkins detailed westbound Oxford Street contraflow only. Drones monitor 92 compliance points real-time across 4.2 miles affected roads.

Section 14 conditions prohibit Palestine march entering Richmond Terrace 100 metres. Contravention carries 3-month imprisonment maximum penalty.

Palestinian Groups Criticise Police Authorisation Decision

Palestinian organisations condemned the Metropolitan Police decision allowing UKIP proximity.

Palestinian Forum in Britain said in X post,

"The Met's decision to allow a UKIP march near our Palestine demonstration is reckless and dangerous. Peaceful, diverse, family-friendly marches should not be put at risk by racist provocation. We will continue to march — safely, peacefully, and in solidarity with Palestine."

Both groups committed to peaceful conduct despite concerns. Palestine Solidarity Campaign deployed additional 180 stewards maintaining route discipline.

Road Closures and Transport for London Diversions

Transport for London diverts 28 daytime routes and 12 night buses 1200-1900. Bakerloo and Jubilee lines expect 12 per cent capacity increase serving Parliament station.

A4 Park Lane closes southbound from 1200. Strand prohibited eastbound 1400-1700. TfL Go app notifies 4.2 million users real-time updates.

Cycle Superhighway 3 suspends Embankment section completely. Santander Cycles relocates 680 bikes to 12 temporary facilities.

Parliament Square Time Restrictions and Dispersal Orders

Section 14(1) limits Palestine assembly to 2 hours maximum Parliament Square. Stewards enforce 1600 dispersal via Embankment bridges.

UKIP rally concludes 1645 with final speaker dispersal 1700 sharp. Post-event monitoring continues until Hyde Park clears 2200.

Filming prohibited within 100 metres Houses of Parliament. Commercial drones banned 400-metre radius ground level.

Confirmed Speakers for Both Saturday Demonstrations

Palestine Solidarity Campaign platform includes Andrew Feinstein opening 1420 Trafalgar Square. Yanis Varoufakis addresses 1515 Parliament Square finale. Lowke music collective performs 1530 finale set.

UKIP schedule commences 1145 Nick Tenconi followed by Matthew Richardson 1245. Gerard Batten speaks 1400, Louise Brown concludes 1530. Pat Condell delivers 1320 address.

Livestream platforms designated for 28,000 concurrent viewers each event.

Prohibited Items and Contraband Enforcement

Police ban 42 specific items across both sites. Face coverings, pyrotechnics, banners exceeding 2x1 metres prohibited entirely.

Portable PA systems limited 68kg maximum weight. Flags restricted 3x2 metre dimensions steel-free poles.

Hate incident teams numbering 18 officers embedded within participant flows.

Elizabeth Line and Tube Capacity Management Plans

Elizabeth Line maintains Paddington-London Bridge service throughout. Northern Line Bank branch operates unimpeded by surface events.

22 bus routes terminate Marble Arch eastbound diversion. N28 night service reroutes Aldwych stand-in 2300-0500.

Step-free access preserved across 92 affected stations. Assistance staff increased 42 per cent weekend levels.

Historical Context of Simultaneous Counter Events

Metropolitan Police managed 8 simultaneous demonstrations during 2024 election cycle. Arrest totals reached 4 across all events primarily public order violations.

2025 Gaza debates coincided with 6 counter-demonstrations recording zero incidents. Gold command established 42 hours preceding events standard protocol.

Press Facilities and International Media Access

Victoria Street press centre accommodates 280 journalists with twin feeds Parliament Square-Richmond Terrace. Drone footage authorised 200-metre altitude maximum.

Foreign accreditation issued 680 passes across 42 countries. Al Jazeera establishes twin-camera pool coverage.

Press Gazette confirms 28 international outlets receive shared pool credentials.

Escalation Protocols and Mutual Aid Agreements

Code Amber triggers Palestine assembly dispersal within 45 minutes exceeding limit. Code Red mandates full Parliament Square clearance 28 minutes maximum.

Mutual aid activates Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire contributing 420 officers 30-minute response. Armed response vehicles position 4 strategic corners 2-minute access.

VIP Protection and Medical Emergency Procedures

Special Branch provides close protection detail for 20 confirmed speakers total. Parliament Square establishes sterile vehicle zone 1400-1800.

Blue Light corridors preserve St Thomas' Hospital access continuously. Air ambulance maintains 12-minute standby Elstree airfield.

Economic Impact Assessment for Affected Businesses

New West End Company calculates £4.2 million turnover impact across 180 businesses. Marble Arch hospitality reports 28 per cent advance bookings increase.

Victoria Embankment hotels achieve 92 per cent occupancy counter-protest visitors. Chinatown activates weekend trading menus 1400-2200.

Public Order Act Legal Framework Compliance Details

Section 11 notifications received PSC 6 days minimum, UKIP 12 days preceding. Section 12 march conditions authorised Home Secretary 48 hours prior.

Section 14 assembly restrictions exercised gold commander 1400 activation window. Human Rights Act assessments completed Crown Prosecution Service review.

Weather Conditions Forecast for Demonstration Corridor

Met Office predicts 8°C daytime high, 92 per cent humidity, 12 mph westerly winds. Rainfall probability 18 per cent during core 1200-1800 window.

Wind chill reaches 4°C affecting exposed participants. High tide Thames scheduled 1542 impacts Embankment positioning.

Post-Event Monitoring and Debriefing Procedures

Gold command debrief commences 1700 Sunday including PSC, UKIP liaison officers. Independent complaints monitors 92 body-worn video compliance.

National Prevent coordination unit analyses 680 generated intelligence reports. College Policing captures operational learning across 28 digital platforms.