UK: Pro-Palestinian activists to stage protest marches in London Feb. 3

Pro-Palestinian activists plan to stage protest marches in London Feb. 3 to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. Activists affiliated with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) plan to hold a protest march starting at 12:00. Demonstrators intend to gather at the BBC headquarters (Broadcasting House) on Portland Place before marching to Whitehall in the vicinity of Downing Street. A second, more accessible march is planned to depart from Hanover Square at 13:00. The step-free section of the march route terminates in the vicinity of the Charing Cross Underground station; other participants of this march will reportedly proceed from the Charing Cross station toward the vicinity of the Westminster station. It was not immediately clear how many people would participate in the marches; however, PSC demonstrations have drawn over 100,000 participants on several occasions since Oct. 7.

Heightened security and transport disruptions are likely along the march routes. Disruptions are likely at Underground stations near the primary march's starting point, particularly at Oxford Circus, Regent's Park, Great Portland Street, Goodge Street, Westminster, and Bond Street stations, as well as near its endpoint, particularly at St. James' Park, Embankment, and Charing Cross stations. Previous PSC demonstrations have remained largely peaceful; however, confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement officers or politically opposed bystanders cannot be ruled out.