Marchers with Palestinian flags call for boycott of Israel on Al Quds Day (Jerusalem Day) march in London
The annual Al Quds Day (Jerusalem Day) march in London has aroused increasing controversy over the years, and was met by several small counter-demonstrations from individuals along the route and several small groups of protesters at Piccadilly Circus. After a series of violent clashes at anti-Islamic demonstrations involving right-wing groups, police were prepared for trouble when these groups, including the English Defence League and March For England, called on their supporters to gather and protest against this march. Other protesters included Iranian democrats, royalists and socialists, particularly incensed at the recent rigged election results in Iran and the demonstrations that followed, with Neda Agha-Soltan being killed and others who died in jail. Although Al Quds Day was initiated by Ayatollah Khomeini when he became Supreme Leader of Iran in 1989 as a day on the last Friday of Ramadan (the London march is on the following Sunday) to oppose the Israeli occupation and control of Jerusalem, and several of more prominent groups leading the demonstration in the UK have links with Iran, the event has support from a wide range of organisations including the Muslim Council of Britain and the Respect Party. Several thousand marchers left Marble Arch, led by Muslim clerics and two Neturei Karta anti-zionist Jewish leaders. Before the march there was an announcement that although as usual women would march in the centre, led and followed by the men, it was also made clear that those who wanted to march as families were welcome to do so, and many, particularly the younger marchers, took advantage of this.
Size: 5040px × 3354px
Location: London, England, UK
Photo credit: © Peter Marshall / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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