A huge thanks to everyone who attended Saturday’s protest calling for an end to nuclear-armed Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Over 80,000 people joined the huge rally in Whitehall, expressing relief at the ceasefire agreement and calling for its full implementation across all three phases – from releasing all hostages, to the rebuilding of Gazan society. Speakers including actors Juliet Stevenson and Khalid Abdalla, comedian and writer Alexei Sayle, and Jewish Holocaust survivor Steven Kapos, mourned the barbaric loss of life and the devastation of Israel’s 15-month bombardment.

With reports of killing continuing despite the ceasefire, the urgency of the humanitarian crisis - as well as the threat of widening military expansion by Israel - campaigning for peace, justice and a nuclear weapons-free Middle East remains vital.

It is also clear that we must continue to defend the right to protest.

In the run up to Saturday’s protest, the Metropolitan police imposed severe restrictions which, according to Amnesty International, ‘risked unnecessary and disproportionate interference’. It also stated that the conduct of the police on the day was, ‘seriously concerning’, and questioned the lawful basis for the large numbers of arrests. Leaders of the Palestine movement also face charges.

London Assembly Member and Green Party Deputy Leader, Zack Polanski, has written to the Home Secretary, while over 40 legal experts have called for an independent inquiry into the Met's policing of the demonstration. As part of the Palestine coalition, CND has signed a statement arguing, ‘This is a direct assault on freedom of assembly and democracy. The police’s actions, including their false statements after the event, are deeply troubling. We demand the immediate release of those arrested and remain resolute in our campaign for freedom and justice for the Palestinian people.’ Read the full statement here.

The Palestine coalition, including CND, is organising a public meeting to defend the right to protest, taking place this Saturday, 25 January in East London. Sign up to register here.

Join CND – help us to defend the right to protest

Peaceful protest is a fundamental human right. It plays an absolutely central role in CND’s efforts to halt the threat of nuclear weapons. It was CND’s massive protests in the 1980s which helped force political leaders to end the nuclear arms race and sign ground-breaking treaties like the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty, destroying thousands of nuclear missiles.

Join CND

Today, an increasingly unstable and dangerous world is driving the threat of nuclear weapons being used again in war. Our necessity to protest has never been more critical. CND members are the backbone of our campaign. Your actions form part of a huge movement protesting for a fundamental shift away from war towards a peaceful nuclear-free, sustainable future. Help us build this vital movement. Join CND today!