Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched through central London on Saturday, May 16, 2024, to protest the war in Gaza [2].

The scale of the demonstrations highlights the continued public pressure on the UK government regarding the conflict and the symbolic importance of Nakba Day.

Protesters moved through Parliament Square and surrounding streets in a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people [2]. The event coincided with separate anti-immigration demonstrations occurring in the city. Some participants included members of Palestine Action, a group that has been banned [1].

Reports on the size of the crowd vary significantly. New Arab said that at least 250,000 people joined the Nakba Day march [1]. However, Reuters estimates that tens of thousands of people participated in the pro-Palestinian march [2].

Law enforcement intervened as the rallies progressed, leading to a series of detentions. KTEN said that nearly 100 protesters were arrested during the event [3]. Other reports provided a higher figure, with MSN/Barron's saying that more than 200 protesters were arrested [4].

These demonstrations followed earlier protests on May 15, 2024, marking Nakba Day [2]. The events served as a focal point for those opposing Israel's military operations in Gaza and calling for an end to the violence [1].

“Tens of thousands of people marched in central London”

The discrepancy in crowd size and arrest numbers reflects the volatility of large-scale urban protests and the difficulty of real-time monitoring. The presence of banned organizations like Palestine Action alongside a massive civilian turnout suggests a broad spectrum of dissent, ranging from peaceful solidarity to more confrontational activism, which complicates the policing of such events in the UK capital.