A Youth Demand march in Central London has ended in at least seven arrests after supporters were arrested as the marched past Waterloo underground station. 250 young people were marching to call for a two-way arms embargo on Israel and for the UK government to halt all new oil and gas licences granted since 2021. [1]
At 12:00pm, hundreds of Youth Demand supporters gathered in Jubilee Gardens and began marching in solidarity with Palestine. Those marching chanted “ALL EYES ON RAFAH!”, and held signs that read “STOP ARMING ISRAEL”.
On 6th May, Israel began an offensive on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, where Palestinian civilians had previously been evacuated to. In the 48 hours after 24th May, Israel conducted more than 60 bombing raids targeting refugee camps in Rafah.
At around 2:00pm, Metropolitan police officers began making arrests of those nonviolently marching down Belvedere road. The situation is still unfolding.
Olivia Burnett, 21, from Leeds, is one of those present today. They said:
“I’m taking action with Youth Demand because a genocide is still raging on and our politicians still support sending weapons to Israel. The time for non-disruptive marches is over.”
“When you connect to what is happening to the people in Rafah, you realise we have to do whatever is necessary to end the hell they are living through. What are we willing to do to stop babies being burned alive? The answer must be: whatever it takes.“
Recently Youth Demand supporters have had warrants out for their arrest after they issued a video stating:
“Youth Demand will be Labour’s worst nightmare. Throughout June, young people will show you what opposition actually means. We will remind you that we have the power, and that you do not represent us. On the 1st and on the 22nd of June, we will be blocking the roads and the bridges in London.“
Another of those taking action today is Rory Wilson, 26, a secondary school teacher from Limehouse. He said:
“The upcoming election isn’t going to change anything when Labour are just as bad as the Tories. Both parties back sending weapons to Israel to slaughter kids. When politics is so utterly broken, and so many lives are at stake, we have no choice but to resist.”
Young people will not accept being led by a criminally corrupt government that is more intent on profiteering from the deaths of children, than serving the interests of ordinary citizens. Young people all over the country are coming together to resist. It’s time to step into action at https://youthdemand.org.
ENDS
Press contact: 07762 987334
Press email: YouthDemandPress@protonmail.com
High quality images & video here: Youth Demand! Press Media | PUBLIC
Website: https://youthdemand.org
Twitter: https://x.com/youth_demand
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_youthdemand
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@youth.demand
Notes to Editors
[1] Youth Demand is a new youth resistance campaign fighting for an end to genocide. Youth Demand a two-way arms embargo on Israel and an end to new oil and gas drilling. Youth Demand is part of Umbrella and a member of the A22 Network of civil resistance projects.
