merely rhysLots more now. Going silent while it starts so I can focus on shooting.
merely rhysThis is rough. I'm getting some amazing shots but this is about an inch away from boiling over.
Also anyone who says these things aren't antisemitic are absolutely kidding themselves.
merely rhysI was wrong earlier; there's a ton of folks ready to be arrested.
I've seen about two dozen hauled away so far. Plenty more to go.
merely rhysJust saw a fight break out between a protestor and counterprotestor. Protestor got the worst of it; both were carted off by police.
The main group are peaceful and dignified but there's a small area where things are getting heated. I'm in the midst of that group but I think I'm going to get out of here soon. It's extremely uncomfortable.
merely rhysTaking a few minutes away from it. This is harrowing.
merely rhysThe arrestables themselves are doing this right. They're dignified and peaceful, not resisting and not participating in the chaos. I likely disagree with them a ton, but there's some nobility and courage in what they're doing here.
merely rhysI'm over in the calmer area now. Much more organised here. Police are sending in small groups to carry people off for arrest. This chap in the second pic lying down was on the same tube train as me this morning.
merely rhysThe protest is officially over now. They only planned to do an hour. I doubt they arrested half the people breaking the proscription order.
Many are leaving now, but a good lot are staying. I'm sticking around for a little while, but I have somewhere to be in a couple of hours.
merely rhysDown to the last few dozen now, and the police have drawn the perimeter in close. I'm heading off now.
I'm glad I came. I got some great photos and I'm sure I'll remember this one forever, horrid and harrowing though some of the chaos was.
Now for some stiff drinks.
merely rhysI was going to comment on this in my blog post I'm writing about the protest: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/aug/10/police-arrest-hundreds-london-protest-over-palestine-action-ban
Of every obvious arrestable I saw there, a solid majority were old. The reason is obvious — they've sufficient security in their lives and livelihoods that they can survive being arrested.
There were a good few younger folks though, who are likely to suffer lifelong consequences for these arrests.
The total on Saturday was 532 arrests per the newer article.