Pro-Palestine campaigners took part in a demonstration at Westfield Stratford City on Boxing Day, demanding 'freedom now'.
Around 100 activists gathered at the shopping centre on Friday evening (26 December) and draped a large Palestinian flag over a railing, while protesters on another floor unfurled banners, waved smaller flags and threw leaflets onto the floor.
Videos posted to social media showed the demonstrators struggling over the large flag with security staff at the shopping centre.
Chants of “free Palestine”, "get your hands off Palestine", "stop arming Israel", “freedom now” and "free the Filton 24” could be heard through a megaphone and echoing throughout the mall as crowds of sales shoppers watched on.
The protesters were also demonstrating in solidarity with four people on hunger strike, demanding their immediate release. The strikers - plus four more people who are understood to have ended their protest - are currently awaiting trial over alleged break-ins or criminal damage.
All eight are accused of crimes relating to their alleged links with the group Palestine Action, which was proscribed as a terrorist organisation earlier this year.
Since then, more than 2,400 people have been arrested for showing support for the group. However, campaigners have been urging the government to overturn the proscription.
The group Prisoners for Palestine said in a recent statement that hunger striker Heba Muraisi, 31 - who on day 56 of her protest at HMP New Hall in West Yorkshire - feels “weaker as each day passes”. She has also noticed “bruising on her arm” and, a “constant body ache”, and is losing the ability to “form sentences and struggling to maintain conversation”.
The group added Teuta Hoxha, Kamran Ahmed and Lewie Chiaramello are also still refusing food.
Qesser Zuhrah and Amu Gib, who were both being held at HMP Bronzefield, paused their strikes earlier this month as their health began to rapidly deteriorate. Both were admitted to hospital for treatment. Jon Cink and Umer Khalid previously ended their protests.
The Met confirmed no arrests had been made in connection with Friday’s demonstration. A spokesperson said in a statement: “At around 5.20pm on Friday, 26 December police were alerted to reports that a group of around 100 pro-Palestine supporters were engaged in a spontaneous protest at Westfield Stratford.
“The activity was taking place over two floors and causing disruption to members of the public as access was being blocked to some businesses at the location. Local officers attended and with the support of venue security the group were dispersed.
“No offences were disclosed. Officers remained in the vicinity afterwards but there were no further incidents.”
The Newham Citizen has contacted Westfield Stratford City for comment.
