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Activists arrested in draconian crackdown ahead of planned march to parliament
Police carry off a Youth Demand protester during a demonstration against the state opening of parliament, July 17, 2024

POLICE stormed a cafe and arrested activists before they had even begun marching today in the latest crackdown on the right to protest.

The Youth Demand activists were sipping their morning coffees in a branch of Leon in central London, ahead of a peaceful pro-Palestine demonstration planned by the group.

The activists were due to march towards Parliament, where the state opening was taking place, to urge the new government to suspend arms to Israel and halt all oil and gas licences granted since 2021.

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