At least eight activists from Youth Demand have been arrested after they tried to “shut down” London and reportedly blocked a fire engine.
The pro-Palestine group - calling for an end to arms sales to Israel – brought traffic to a standstill on key routes including in Elephant and Castle, Southwark on Saturday.
Video footage shows a fire engine struggling to pass as around 50 protesters blocked a roundabout next to the Underground station.
The vehicle couldn’t move until Metropolitan Police officers arrived on the scene and moved the rally on.
With the protesters still in place, a bus was able to manoeuvre out of the way to allow the engine into St George’s Road, which was free from disruption.
MailOnline reported it was on an emergency call out. Youth Demand responded: “Our supporters will get off the road for all emergency vehicles on blue lights. This is part of non-violence for us and is integral for actions.”
Supporters also gathered at Russell Square and a Vauxhall Bridge roadblock to take part in “open swarming”, a protest about the killing of 50,000 Palestinians in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war.
BREAKING: SEVEN MORE ARRESTED FOR ACTING TO SAFE LIVES
— Youth Demand (@youth_demand) April 12, 2025
Seven more young people have been arrested after the Vauxhall bridge roadblock. Four have been arrested on the bridge under Section 7 of POA 23 with no warning. Three more were arrested later off the road for conspiracy for… pic.twitter.com/eLXI2wSVe3
In a statement, Youth Demand said eight activists had been arrested, adding: “We’ve tried the marches, petitions and rallies for over a year-and-a-half now. It hasn’t worked.
“The government only cares about disruption. That’s why we are shutting London down day after day. There is no time to lose, two million Palestinians are starving.
“They are being pushed into smaller and smaller death zones in Gaza.
“Business-as-usual enables this genocide, so we have a duty to shut it down. We must resist.”
Demonstrators unfurled banners reading “Free Palestine”, “Stop Arming Israel” and “Make the Rich Pay” as they blocked traffic on Moorgate and let off smoke flares.
The Metropolitan police said: “Youth Demand have stated an intention to ‘shut down’ London over the month of April using tactics including ‘swarming’ and roadblocks.
“While we absolutely recognise the importance of the right to protest, we have a responsibility to intervene to prevent activity that crosses the line from protest into serious disruption and other criminality. “
