About 40 Youth Demand protesters were instructed to disperse by the police during a pro-Palestinian event in central London on Saturday. Initially, the activists gathered at Lincoln’s Inn Fields in the morning before making their way to King’s Cross station. As part of Youth Demand’s strategy to stage demonstrations every Tuesday and Saturday in April, some protest participants held signs reading “Stop arming Israel,” while others set off green flares before being ushered away by the Metropolitan police.

Youth Demand disclosed that their supporters split into two groups, with around 40 individuals blocking traffic on Euston Road near King’s Cross at approximately 12:15 PM. The Metropolitan police issued a warning to the protesters under section seven of the Public Order Act, after which the Youth Demand group complied and dispersed within 10 minutes. No arrests were made, as reported by Scotland Yard.

Defining their stance, a Met spokesperson stated, “Youth Demand have declared their intent to ‘shut down’ London throughout April, employing tactics such as ‘swarming’ and blocking roads.” While acknowledging the right to protest, the spokesperson emphasized their duty to intervene to prevent disorder turning into serious disruptions and criminal acts.

The preceding Thursday, six individuals from Youth Demand were apprehended at a Quaker House meeting on suspicion of plotting to cause a public disturbance. Over 20 uniformed officers, with some equipped with Tasers, entered the Westminster meeting house to carry out the arrests.

Notwithstanding the arrests, Youth Demand contended that the publicity from the raid heightened awareness of their activities, leading to a significant influx of new recruits to join their cause.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/05/youth-demand-pro-palestinian-protest-blocks-traffic-in-london