Protests held against Israeli military action in Lebanon
Thousands of people around Britain demonstrated today against the Israeli military action in Lebanon.
Rallies took place in London and other major cities organised by the main Muslim groups and the Stop The War Coalition.
In London police estimated that about 7,000 people began a march from Whitehall through the centre of the West End, past the United States Embassy and on to Hyde Park.
Figures at the front of the protest included leaders of organisations such as the Muslim Association of Britain and anti-war campaigners like Respect MP George Galloway and writer Tariq Ali.
The vast majority of demonstrators, which included men, women and children, shouted slogans such as “Peace for Lebanon” while carrying banners and a Lebanese national flag.
However a handful of more boisterous protestors chanted “Hezbollah” and “Down, down with Israel”.
Among the people marching was Alex Pereira, the cousin of Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes, who was shot dead by police officers at Stockwell tube station a year ago today.
He was joined by the two brothers arrested by police following a controversial raid on their house in Forest Gate, east London, earlier this year.
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