HUNDREDS of thousands of protesters will head to central London, and across the UK, on Saturday to call for a ceasefire amid humanitarian concerns over Israel’s response to deadly attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas last month.
Protesters will officially gather at Hyde Park, about a mile from Whitehall at noon, before marching to the US embassy in Vauxhall, south of the Thames.
The march coincides with Armistice Day, when people across the UK mark the moment the guns fell silent in the First World War, leading to heightened political tensions as Rishi Sunak labelled the protest “provocative and disrespectful”.
READ MORE: Scottish pro-Palestinian rallies on Armistice Day
It is understood there are “concerns that breakaway groups” from the main march “could look for trouble”, while counter-demonstrations may add to policing difficulties.
Police have identified far-right groups organising counter-protests as the main risk of public disorder, according to reports.
English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson is among those who say men are “mobilising” to be in the capital.
One of the groups involved is the so-called Democratic Football Lads Alliance.
But what is the Democratic Football Lads Alliance?
The Democratic Football Lads Alliance is a far-right group which formed after a split in the original Football Lads Alliance (FLA).
The original group was formed as “anti-extremist” but has increasingly been associated with the far-right.
The Premier League has previously warned clubs that "the group is using fans and stadiums to push an anti-Muslim agenda”.
Previous FLA marches – including one held on May 19, 2018 to mark the first anniversary of the Manchester Arena bombing – have led to counter demonstrations from anti-fascist groups.
Why are they protesting today?
The Democratic Football Lads Alliance posted on Facebook saying it will deter people from seeking to “desecrate and disrespect our monuments” by acting as a “buffer” for those who wish to head to the Cenotaph to pay their respects on Saturday.
Pro-Palestine protest organisers have said they don’t intend to go anywhere near the Cenotaph.
The Democratic Football Lads Alliance said: “Vets have reached out and asked for our support due to the threat from the far-left and pro-Palestinian supporters to disrupt the Remembrance Day parade.
“We are calling on all football lads up and down the country to join us in standing shoulder to shoulder with our veterans that fought for our freedom.”
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