Pro-Palestine activists have disrupted the London Pride parade as they covered a float with red paint.
Four Youth Demand protesters targeted CISCO’s truck as they charged the US-based company with ‘genocide’ and said they have ‘no place’ at the event.
It comes less than 24 hours after it emerged that Palestine Action has been banned and designated as a terrorist organisation.
Last night, a judge threw out co-founder Huda Ammori’s legal challenge to stop the government from proscribing it under the Terrorism Act 2000.
Photos from the London Pride event today show the group of Youth Demand activists sitting in front of CISCO’s float holding buckets of red paint and Palestinian flags.
The parade was delayed for about an hour while the protesters were removed and five people arrested.
Youth Demand claimed on social media: ‘Technology corporation CISCO has a long standing partnership with the Israeli military and enables the mass murder of Palestinians through advanced military communication networks facilitated by their Unified Communication systems.
‘They have willingly supplied their technology to strengthen Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza and have NO place at London pride.
‘Youth Demand’ activists holding Palestinian flags glue themselves to a truck during the 2025 Pride Parade in London
Police officers detain a ‘Youth Demand’ activist, on the day of the 2025 Pride Parade in London
Pro-Palestine protesters from Youth Demand throw red paint and glue themselves to the lead float
‘They are not only complicit in war crimes but actively enabling military communications in an apartheid state.
‘We demand a total trade embargo on Israel and an end to the pink-washing of complicit corporations.’
The group targeted the CISCO float as it passed through Piccadilly at around 12.30pm today.
Four activists glued themselves to it, before chanting ‘we charge you with genocide’.
A Met Police spokesperson said: ‘Met officers have arrested five people after Youth Demand protesters disrupted the Pride event in central London.
‘At around 12:30hrs four members of the group threw red paint over a truck involved in the parade and glued themselves to the vehicle outside The Ritz.
‘They were removed by specialist officers and arrested. A fifth member of the group was arrested in the crowd.
‘The parade has resumed and a significant policing operation remains in place.’
Youth Demand yesterday said that they stand ‘unequivocally’ with Palestine Action.
The group targeted the CISCO float as it passed through Piccadilly at around 12.30pm today
Police officers handcuff a ‘Youth Demand’ activist, on the day of the 2025 Pride Parade in London
A ‘Youth Demand’ activist reacts as she glues herself to a truck, on the day of the 2025 Pride Parade in London
The group posted on social media: ‘The proscription of Palestine Action is the most sinister escalation we’ve seen yet in this government’s actions to silence those who resist genocide
‘Whilst the UK sends weapons to Israel and flies spy planes over Gaza, it terrorises those standing against it at home with unprecedented repression.’
The proposal to ban Palestine Action was approved by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords earlier this week.
It would make membership and support for the direct action group a criminal offence, punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
But despite the request, Mr Justice Chamberlain refused to block Ms Ammori’s challenge at the High Court.
He said: ‘I have concluded that the harm which would ensue if interim relief is refused but the claim later succeeds is insufficient to outweigh the strong public interest in maintaining the order in force.’
Ms Ammori’s legal team was also denied permission to appeal and was advised to take their case directly to the Court of Appeal.
Pro-Palestine protesters from Youth Demand throw red paint and glue themselves to the lead float during the annual Pride parade in London
Police officers detain a “Youth Demand” activist, on the day of the 2025 Pride Parade in London
The parade was delayed for about an hour while the protesters were removed and five people arrested
Currently, 81 organisations are already proscribed under the 2000 Act, including Hamas, al Qaida, and National Action.
Friday’s hearing comes after an estimated £7million worth of damage was caused to two Voyager planes at RAF Brize Norton on June 20, in an action claimed by Palestine Action.
Amy Gardiner-Gibson, 29, Jony Cink, 24, Daniel Jeronymides-Norie, 36, and Lewis Chiaramello, 22, are accused of conspiracy to enter a prohibited place knowingly for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the United Kingdom, and conspiracy to commit criminal damage.
They were remanded into custody after appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court and will appear at the Old Bailey on July 18.
