Communist pro-Palestine protesters are arrested for criminal damage after climbing on Battle of Britain memorial just days after October 7 anniversary

Communist pro-Palestine protesters have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after activists were seen climbing on top of the Battle of Britain memorial during a march through central London . Violence broke out between some protesters and police on Saturday as thousands marched to protest the treatment of Palestinians in Gaza, just days after the third anniversary of October 7. As they proceeded through central London, many held Palestinian flags and posters and banners expressing support for those in Gaza. But tensions rose as police moved in to make several arrests on Victoria Embankment, with a group of angry protesters holding flags from the Revolutionary Communist Party (RCP) scuffling with officers as they called for police to let them go. Twenty arrests have been made, including of a man and a woman who the Metropolitan Police said were carrying placards declaring support for Palestine Action - and of one woman allegedly making a Nazi salute. The force also arrested 'a number of' protesters on suspicion of criminal damage after some activists were seen atop the Battle of Britain memorial. Many of those pictured on the memorial also had RCP flags. The Met imposed conditions on the march, which is organised by the Palestine Coalition, and a counter protest, to 'minimise the risk of serious disruption to communities'. The force said in a statement six arrests were made for criminal damage after protesters climbed onto the Battle of Britain memorial, seven for breach of conditions - with two of these for also refusing to remove face coverings when asked by police. Demonstrators holding Revolutionary Communist Party (RCP) flags climbed on the Battle of Britain memorial during a march to protest the treatment of Palestinians in Gaza Scuffles between pro-Palestine protesters and police broke out as thousands marched through central London, days after the third anniversary of October 7 One officer was seen drawing his baton as the violence escalated, and multiple arrests were made Police had to fight to maintain a protective barrier after pulling several protesters from the crowd In addition, two people were arrested for displaying placards supporting proscribed organisation Palestine Action and two for a Section 5 Public Order offence – with one being racially aggravated, after a woman was seen earlier in the day making a Nazi salute. There was also one arrest for assault on police as officers made arrests on Victoria Embankment, one for breach of the peace and one for threats to kill in relation to an incident on October 1. The force anticipated between 7,000 and 10,000 demonstrators will attend, as they gathered at Embankment around midday. Protesters have been warned they could be arrested if they refuse to remove face masks. And shortly after 2pm officers moved in to detain individuals from a crowd of activists. It came as thousands of demonstrators were walking by the Metropolitan Police headquarters, with some shouting 'shame on you' at a smaller group of pro-Israel supporters. As tempers flared, police dragged one man away to the side and chaos ensued. Officers encircled at least two protesters who they detained on the ground and arrested – only for many more activists, many holding RCP flags, to surround police. Despite having a protective cordon of officers in place, small pockets of violence broke out as protesters appeared to push and shove through, as chants of 'let them go' were heard. Abuse was shouted towards officers, who drew their batons to force the crowd back. After one man was hauled to his feet, a man livestreaming the event asked him: 'What have you been arrested for?' 'I punched him in the face,' the protester replied. Protesters appeared to forcefully push through the Met Police, with one man declaring he was arrested for punching an officer in the face Shortly after 2pm officers moved in to arrest individuals from a crowd of activists, including those who were carrying placards declaring support for Palestine Action A man is detained by outside the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police in Embankment Police pull a protester out from the crowd, following abuse being shouted towards officers Between 7,000 and 10,000 protestors were expected to attend the pro-Palestine march, with shouts from the crowd including 'f*** the police' Shouts included 'f*** the police' and 'shame on you', with anti-police chants from the recent riots in France also heard. As reinforcements arrived, officers were able to forcibly push activists back to remove the arrested individuals from the scene. In an update issued shortly afterwards, the Met said: 'Several arrests have been made so far including a woman and a man with placards declaring support for proscribed organisation Palestine Action. 'We have also arrested a number of protesters on suspicion of criminal damage after they climbed onto the Battle of Britain memorial on Victoria Embankment. 'We are aware of social media footage of other possible offences being committed at the protest. Officers on the ground are assessing and investigating.' Deputy Assistant Commissioner Carl Galvin said: 'We know Saturday's event, so close to the third anniversary of the terror attack on Israel , has the potential to have a greater impact on communities than the previous national marches.' The scene at the Battle of Britain memorial in central London, where some protestors were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after they climbed onto it People waved Palestinian flags and banners and chanted as they moved along the streets The march included signs which read 'Zionism is a racist colonial ideology' and 'From the river to the sea Palestine will be free' Protesters have been warned they could be arrested if they refuse to remove face coverings Mr Galvin, who is leading the policing operation this weekend, said the force's presence on Saturday will be 'significant'. 'We will also be using powers under the Public Order Act requiring anyone in the protest area wearing face coverings to deliberately conceal their identity to remove them,' Mr Galvin continued. Under the act, the police have the power to arrest someone who refuses to remove a mask, he added. He said: 'And we will do so if we see groups of people who refuse and are covering their faces with the intention to hide their identity, intimidate and commit offences. That is unacceptable. 'But for individual cases, officers must carefully assess why a person is wearing a mask and respond in a measured way.' A counter protest, led by Jewish campaign group Stop The Hate, also gathered outside New Scotland Yard The march, which is organised by the Palestine Coalition, had conditions imposed on it by the Met Police in order to 'minimise the risk of serious disruption to communities' Pro-Palestine protesters were seen holding placards calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza The Met has imposed conditions on the march and requires the group to travel via Westminster Bridge, York Road, Waterloo Bridge and the Strand on to Whitehall – with a rally concluding by 6.30pm. The force has said that any speeches and music must conclude by 5.30pm. A counter protest by Jewish-led campaign group Stop The Hate is also due to take place outside New Scotland Yard on Saturday, with the force saying it has been in contact with representatives from the group. The force has also imposed conditions on the demonstration 'to minimise the risk of serious disruption'. Demonstrators must remain within a designated area outside the Met's headquarters, with the assembly concluding at 2.30pm. The Palestine Coalition organising the march includes Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War, CND, Muslim Association of Britain, Friends of Al Aqsa and Palestinian Forum in Britain. A National March for Palestine was also expected to take place in Edinburgh today.