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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Lizzie Dearden

How Gaza sparked the biggest UK protest movement in recent history – and a headache for the police

Police officers intervene amid clashes during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, ahead of the October 7 attack anniversary.
Police officers intervene amid clashes during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, ahead of the October 7 attack anniversary. Photograph: Chris J Ratcliffe/Reuters

When the Palestine Solidarity Campaign organised its first protest against Israel’s bombing campaign in Gaza, days after Hamas’ deadly terror attacks on 7 October 2023, leaders expected the conflict to be over within weeks.

“I remember saying to my staff ‘we are probably going to need to be responding to this through marches until potentially Christmas’,” recalls director Ben Jamal. “I didn’t see beyond that.”

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