Pro-Palestine activist arrested ahead of suspected Armistice Day action

Local policing plans across London is set in place over Remembrance weekend
Commander in charge of policing London promises swift action against those comitting offenses on Monday - RACHEL ADAMS

A pro-Palestine activist has been arrested ahead of suspected action around Armistice Day.

The Metropolitan Police has ensured local policing plans are in place across the capital as the nation prepares to commemorate all those who died fighting for their country.

It comes after reports that activists in solidarity with Palestine had planned to disrupt Armistice Day with “highly co-ordinated” protests this week.

Louise Puddefoot, the commander in charge of policing London over Remembrance weekend, told The Telegraph: “We have local policing plans in place across London to protect those attending public Armistice Day events tomorrow. Anyone committing offences or disorder on this solemn and important day will be dealt with swiftly.”

She added: “We are aware separately of a week of action planned by Youth Demand. Following information received, a man was arrested on the evening of Saturday, 9 November at an address in London on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance. He remains in custody.”

More than 50 activists are believed to have gathered at an event at a private bar in central London last Saturday to discuss the protests, which are being led by Youth Demand, a relatively new organisation formed of different pro-Palestinian and environmentalist groups.

According to The Daily Express, Arthur Clifton, a 23-year-old activist with Youth Demand, told those who had gathered: “This is the start of our strategy coming into place on November 11. With five cities across the country, Youth Demand will be getting out onto the roads, swarming, causing disruption, [and] getting off before arrests are made, hopefully.”

Mr Clifton also said the protests would cause “highly co-ordinated, highly organised disruption on a nationwide level”. He added: “We know we have to shut it down for Palestine.”

The protests are planned to take place across five cities, including London, however there did not appear to be any disruptions on Remembrance Sunday.

The Telegraph understands that there is no information that Youth Demand, or any group, has plans to disrupt specific Armistice Day events in London.

Activists from Youth Demand placed flowers and a Palestinian flag on the Cenotaph on July 15 2024
Activists from Youth Demand placed flowers and a Palestinian flag on the Cenotaph on July 15 2024 - Guy Smallman/Getty Images

On Monday, the Western Front Association will commemorate Armistice Day at the Cenotaph, where John Healey, the Defence Secretary, is expected to attend and lay a wreath.

In response to the threats of protest, the Royal British Legion said: “Remembrance is a time for the nation to come together to remember those who have served in the British Armed Forces protecting the democratic freedoms we all benefit from today.

“While we respect the right of people to protest within the law, we believe the Two-Minute Silence on Armistice Day is a time for remembrance, and we hope Remembrance events can go ahead without disruption.”