Metropolitan Police officers form a cordon at Parliament Square to prevent protesters reaching Westminster Bridge during a Free Palestine Coalition demonstration in central London. Picture date: Saturday January 6, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story POLITICS Israel. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire
The protesters blocked Westminster Bridge in London (Picture: PA)

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters staged a sit-in on Westminster Bridge in their first major demonstration in 2024.

They blocked off the bridge and the surrounding roads after a march from St James’s Park today.

The demonstration, organised by the Free Palestine Coalition, renewed calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

It also called for the UK to stop arms sales to Israel and an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

They met at the park 10am and after several initial arrests marched to Westminster before being stopped by officers at Big Ben.

Many of the protesters then gradually joined a sit-in that was fenced off on three sides by a police cordon.

Up Next

epa11061077 Protesters stage a sit-in on Westminster Bridge during a march in support of Palestine in London, Britain, 06 January 2024. Members of protest groups including Black Lives Matter and the Free Palestine Coalition protested in central London to demand ceasefire in the Israel Palestinian conflict. EPA/NEIL HALL
Protesters seen by Big Ben in Westminster (Picture: EPA)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Johnny Armstead/Shutterstock (14288140d) Protesters march past the Houses of Parliament where there progress is blocked by police at the entrance to Westminster Bridge. 6 Jan 2024 Pro-Palestine protest in Westminster, London, UK - 06 Jan 2024
They are calling for a caesefire in Gaza (Picture: Shutterstock)
Metropolitan Police officers form a cordon at Parliament Square to prevent protesters reaching Westminster Bridge during a Free Palestine Coalition demonstration in central London. Picture date: Saturday January 6, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story POLITICS Israel. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire
Police were present at the scene (Picture: PA)

Many of the protesters held up hands covered in red paint and wore face masks of politicians like Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden.

The Met Police said this afternoon: ‘All protesters have now left the area around Westminster Bridge. Officers remain on-duty in central London and are ready to respond to any further demonstrations.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.