12 Days of Christmas -some of my favourite pictures from those I made in November 2025.
London, UK. 1 Nov 2025. Several thousands march from Marble Arch around the West End to demand that animals should not be treated as property or resources for humans. They say that animals feel love, pain, fear and joy “just like use” and say everyone should become vegan. They call for cages to be emptied, animal testing to be ended and for an end to all use of animals for any purpose whatsoever, demanding “Animal Liberation NOW!” Peter Marshall.London, UK. 8 Nov 2025. A rally and march from Gloucester Road station calls for an end to the UK-backed atrocity in Sudan. At Al-Fashir and elsewhere in Sudan UAE-backed RSF militia have committed executions, torture, mass displacement and deliberate starvation, armed by weapons sold by the UK to the UAE. Protesters demand the UK designate the RSF a terrorist organisation, end arms sales to the UAE and impose sanctions on them. In May Sudan took the UAE to the International Court of Justice for complicity in genocide. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 8 Nov 2025. Trade unionists protested outside the Chinese Embassy in solidarity with the three Hong Kong pro-democracy leaders charged with inciting subversion under Beijing’s National Security Law for organising protests and vigils whose trial begins on 11 Nov. They called for Lee Cheuk-yan, Chow Hang-tung, Albert Ho and all political prisoners to be released. One man who continually tried to disrupt the event was arrested.Peter Marshall.London, UK. 26 Nov 2025. Police banned farmers from bringing tractors to Parliament Square for their protest against the removal of inheritance tax relief at the last minute and instead told them they could hold a peaceful rally without vehicles opposite Downing St. A few did manage to drive to Parliament and a couple were parked opposite the House of Lords. Apparently some drivers were arrested in Trafalgar Square after refusing to drive out of London. Police had previously granted permission for the tractor protest. Peter MarshallLondon, UK. 26 Nov 2025. Police banned farmers from bringing tractors to Parliament Square for their protest against the removal of inheritance tax relief at the last minute and instead told them they could hold a peaceful rally without vehicles opposite Downing St. A few did manage to drive to Parliament and a couple were parked opposite the House of Lords. Apparently some drivers were arrested in Trafalgar Square after refusing to drive out of London. Police had previously granted permission for the tractor protest. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 26 Nov 2025. Paula Peters of DPAC speaking. Unite Community hold a Budget Day protest in Parliament Square as a part of a national day of action to protest against the ongoing cuts and sanctions to people’s benefits. They say sanctions which penalise people already struggling to feed, pay rent and heat homes, particularly the disabled, are now at record levels under this Labour government and are driving working people, disabled people, and children further into poverty. Peter MarshallLondon, UK. 26 Nov 2025. Unite Community hold a Budget Day protest in Parliament Square as a part of a national day of action to protest against the ongoing cuts and sanctions to people’s benefits. They say sanctions which penalise people already struggling to feed, pay rent and heat homes, particularly the disabled, are now at record levels under this Labour government and are driving working people, disabled people, and children further into poverty. Peter MarshallLondon, UK, 26 Nov 2025. Anti-Brexit campaigners including Steve Bray protested at the crossroad leading into Parliament Square with loud music and EU flags, as well as a Brexit elephant. They reminded people of the huge financial impact of Brexit on us all and the failure of any of the promised benefits to materialise – except for some of the super-rich and called for Britain to rejoin Europe. Peter MarshallLondon, UK. 29 Nov 2025. Blind wheelchair user Mike Higgins wants to be arrested again. Over two hundred people sat in silence holding placards “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action” outside the Royal Courts of Justice on the opening day of the Judicial Review of the ban on the organisation. They waited patiently for police to arrest them under the Terrorism Act. Many feel the ban is an abuse of law and are concerned at the attempt to scupper the review by appointing judgesfor the case with a clear conflict of interest. Police were slowly arresting people and carrying them away to waiting vans when I left. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 29 Nov 2025. Charlie X – Only Obeying Orders.Over two hundred people sat in silence holding placards “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action” outside the Royal Courts of Justice on the opening day of the Judicial Review of the ban on the organisation. They waited patiently for police to arrest them under the Terrorism Act. Many feel the ban is an abuse of law and are concerned at the attempt to scupper the review by appointing judgesfor the case with a clear conflict of interest. Police were slowly arresting people and carrying them away to waiting vans when I left. Peter Marshall
November turned out to have been a slighly confusing month for me and I managed to date some of my captions wrongly – thanks to careless “copy and paste”. I think the actual album dates for the Facebook albums are all correct.
Finally the 12 day of Christmas tomorrow – pictures from December 2025.
12 Days of Christmas -some of my favourite pictures from those I made in October 2025.
London, UK. 4 Oct 2025. Police came in force to Trafalgar Square to make entirely unnecessary arrests of people sitting quietly holding the message “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action” but presenting no threat to public order, showing requests to call off the protest after the Manchester attack as the police had other priorities to be false. Many protesters made clear their opposition to anti-Semitism and killing here and in Gaza, and many were Jewish. Police began slowly arresting individuals and carrying them to waiting police vans. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 4 Oct 2025. Police carry arrested woman. Hundreds came to Trafalgar Square to defy the law and sit holding the message “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action”. They waited patiently for police to arrest them under the Terrorism Act. They had ignored attempts to call off the protest following the Manchester attack with many making clear their opposition to anti-Semitism and killing – both here and in Gaza. Many taking part were Jewish. Police began slowly arresting individuals and carrying them away to waiting police vans. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 4 Oct 2025. Police carry a man away. Hundreds came to Trafalgar Square to defy the law and sit holding the message “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action”. They waited patiently for police to arrest them under the Terrorism Act. They had ignored attempts to call off the protest following the Manchester attack with many making clear their opposition to anti-Semitism and killing – both here and in Gaza. Many taking part were Jewish. Police began slowly arresting individuals and carrying them away to waiting police vans. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 4 Oct 2025. I oppose Genocide. Hundreds came to Trafalgar Square to defy the law and sit holding the message “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action”. They waited patiently for police to arrest them under the Terrorism Act. They had ignored attempts to call off the protest following the Manchester attack with many making clear their opposition to anti-Semitism and killing – both here and in Gaza. Many taking part were Jewish. Police began slowly arresting individuals and carrying them away to waiting police vans. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 11 Oct 2025. Charlie X – Humanity’s Last Stand., Over half a million including many Jews marched to demand a permanent end to Israeli attacks on Gaza, for an end to arms sales to Israel, for the siege of Gaza to end so international aid can end starvation, allow medical supplies and begin rebuilding hospitals, schools and homes. They demand international journalists to be let in to report and for war criminals to be brought to justice and for a lasting and just peace settlement for the whole of Palestine. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 11 Oct 2025. Front of the march at Parliament. Over half a million including many Jews marched to demand a permanent end to Israeli attacks on Gaza, for an end to arms sales to Israel, for the siege of Gaza to end so international aid can end starvation, allow medical supplies and begin rebuilding hospitals, schools and homes. They demand international journalists to be let in to report and for war criminals to be brought to justice and for a lasting and just peace settlement for the whole of Palestine. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 11 Oct 2025. Over half a million including many Jews marched to demand a permanent end to Israeli attacks on Gaza, for an end to arms sales to Israel, for the siege of Gaza to end so international aid can end starvation, allow medical supplies and begin rebuilding hospitals, schools and homes. They demand international journalists to be let in to report and for war criminals to be brought to justice and for a lasting and just peace settlement for the whole of Palestine. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 11 Oct 2025. A red smoke flare. Over half a million including many Jews marched to demand a permanent end to Israeli attacks on Gaza, for an end to arms sales to Israel, for the siege of Gaza to end so international aid can end starvation, allow medical supplies and begin rebuilding hospitals, schools and homes. They demand international journalists to be let in to report and for war criminals to be brought to justice and for a lasting and just peace settlement for the whole of Palestine. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 11 Oct 2025. Over half a million including many Jews marched to demand a permanent end to Israeli attacks on Gaza, for an end to arms sales to Israel, for the siege of Gaza to end so international aid can end starvation, allow medical supplies and begin rebuilding hospitals, schools and homes. They demand international journalists to be let in to report and for war criminals to be brought to justice and for a lasting and just peace settlement for the whole of Palestine. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 25 October 2025. Marcia Rigg whose brother Sean was killed by police in Brixton in 2008. The 26th annual remembrance procession by the United Families and Friends Campaign (UFFC) marched from Trafalgar Square to Downing St for a rally with speakers from the families whose relatives killed by police and in penal, mental health and immigration detention. They call for justice and proper investigations with officers involved treated like others suspected of crimes, and delivered a letter to the Prime Minister calling for a face to face meeting with him and for reparatory justice. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 25 Oct 2025. Police had banned UKIP from marching in Tower Hamlets and instead they held a march from Brompton Oratory to Marble Arch. Only around 200 marched against so-called Islamist Invaders, calling for mass deportations. A larger group of anti-fascists were waiting for them at Hyde Park Corner, heavily held back by police, and a much larger crowd had gathered in Tower Hamlets in a show of solidarity against Islamophobia and hate of migrants. Peter Marshall
More from November in tomorrow’s post. You can view many more of my pictures from each of the events here – and a few others – in my albums on Facebook.
12 Days of Christmas -some of my favourite pictures from those I made in September 2025.
September was a very month for me in London and I found it impossible to stick to just one picture per event as I have done for most of these ’12 Days of Christmnas ‘posts.
London, UK. 3 Sept 2025. A small group led by the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) braved bad weather to march from Stratford Station to the Excel Centre raising awareness in Newham about the worlds largest Arms Fair, DSEI, which begins on 9th September with arms dealers from around the world including Israel selling weapons used for killing and oppression. Protests began there on Monday and continue daily until the fair ends on the 12th. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 6 Sept 2025. Hundreds of thousands marched in London demanding an immediate end to the Israeli genocide in Gaza where the IDF is targeting hospitals and people queueing for food and killing 100 people a day as the people starve. They demand all arms sales to Israel end, condemn Israeli plans to force Palestinians into a concentration camp and marched to defend the right to protest and for an end to government support of Israel. Peter MarshallLondon, UK. 6 Sept 2025. Hundreds of thousands marched in London demanding an immediate end to the Israeli genocide in Gaza where the IDF is targeting hospitals and people queueing for food and killing 100 people a day as the people starve. They demand all arms sales to Israel end, condemn Israeli plans to force Palestinians into a concentration camp and marched to defend the right to protest and for an end to government support of Israel. Peter MarshallLondon, UK. 6 Sep2025. Over a thousand campaigners had signed up to defy the ban on supporting Palestine Action and Parliament Square was filled with people sitting and standing with the message “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action” despite a warning they would be arrested under the Terrorism Act. At 1pm police surrounded the square and a couple of squads began arresting individuals, surrounded by crowds calling ‘Shame’ and worse and making the arrests slow and difficult. Peter MarshallLondon, UK. 6 Sep2025. A man is arrested. Over a thousand campaigners had signed up to defy the ban on supporting Palestine Action and Parliament Square was filled with people sitting and standing with the message “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action” despite a warning they would be arrested under the Terrorism Act. At 1pm police surrounded the square and a couple of squads began arresting individuals, surrounded by crowds calling ‘Shame’ and worse and making the arrests slow and difficult. Peter MarshallLondon, UK. 6 Sep2025. Over 30 poilicw go into the crowd to arrest one elderly woman among the over a thousand campaigners had signed up to defy the ban on supporting Palestine Action. Parliament Square was filled with people sitting and standing with the message “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action” despite a warning they would be arrested under the Terrorism Act. At 1pm police surrounded the square and a couple of squads began arresting individuals, surrounded by crowds calling ‘Shame’ and worse and making the arrests slow and difficult. Peter MarshallLondon, UK. 9 Sep 2025. ‘War Crimes, Sex Crimes, Cut for the Same Cloth’. Despite the Underground strike, hundreds protested at the opening day of the world’s largest arms fair calling for a mass blocade against Britain’s complicity in genocide. Britain’s arms trade profits from the slaughter of Palestinians and other civilians around the world and Israel had a pavilion at the DSEI arms fair, selling weapons that have been ‘battle-tested’ in Gaza. Police cleared the area at lunchtime. Peter MarshallLondon, UK. 9 Sep 2025. HOW MANY DEATHS WILL IT TAKE TILL THEY KNOW THAT TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVE DIED!! People protest as police clear the area. Despite the Underground strike, hundreds protested at the opening day of the world’s largest arms fair calling for a mass blocade against Britain’s complicity in genocide. Britain’s arms trade profits from the slaughter of Palestinians and other civilians around the world and Israel has a pavilion at the DSEI arms fair, selling weapons that have been ‘battle-tested’ in Gaza. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 13 Sept 2025. Around 20,000 marched march through London in opposition to the larger extreme right march also taking place. They opposed the protests against refugees and asylum seekers calling for fair and humane treatment for all who arrive in the UK and for an end to racism and Islamophobia. From a rally in Russell Square they marched led by Women Against the Far Right to Whitehall. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 17 Sep 2025. Dump Trump. Thousands marched through London against the state visit to the UK by Trump in a protest by the Stop Trump Coalition uniting many groups. Many carried placards and posters ridiculing Trump and denouncing him as a fascist and dictator. They say the UK should not be pandering to Trump but opposing his dangerous and divisive actions including climate denial and support for genocide in Gaza. Peter MarshallLondon, UK. 20 Sept 2025. Bog Off Bezos! Thousands came to the ‘Make Them Pay’ march, part of a global week of action on climate justice backed by an alliance of trade unions and campaigning organisations representing millions of workers, citizens and communities across Britain. They say ‘Billionaires have broken Britain – Make THEM pay to fix it.’ They demand the government tax the super-rich, protect workers not billionaires and make polluters pay. Peter Marshall.
12 Days of Christmas -some of my favourite pictures from those I made in August 2025.
London, UK. 2 Aug 2025. We Are Alll Migrants. Rival groups of protesters kept apart by police at the Thistle City Barbican Hotel, Finsbury. Some locals say asylum seekers there had caused a plague of crime and antisocial behaviour and right wing groups held a protest there, opposed by Stand Up To Racism and groups who say racism and Islamophobia are being used to scapegoat refugees and migrants and fascists are not welcome here. A large block of anarchists arrived, ignored police and stood between the two other groups. Peter MarshallLondon, UK. 2 Aug 2025. Louise Raw holds a long list of far right convicted sex offenders. Rival groups of protesters kept apart by police at the Thistle City Barbican Hotel, Finsbury. Some locals say asylum seekers there had caused a plague of crime and antisocial behaviour and right wing groups held a protest there, opposed by Stand Up To Racism and groups who say racism and Islamophobia are being used to scapegoat refugees and migrants and fascists are not welcome here.. Peter MarshallLondon, UK. 6 Aug 2025. Councillor Eddie Hanson, Mayor of Camden lays a wreath at the new Cherry Tree which had just been planted. Ceremonies around the world mark the 80th anniversary of the devastating US exploding the world’s first nuclear bomb at Hiroshima, instantly killing thousands of innocent civilians with many more dying in the days, months and years from radiation. A new cherry tree was planted in Tavistock Square where speakers, artists and singers led reflections calling for no more nuclear war. Peter MarshallLondon, UK. 9 Aug 2025. Police arrest an old woman at the protest supporting Palestine after the march through London protesting against Israel starving the people of Gaza to death. They seemed to object to a leaflet she was handing out. They called on the UK government to stop arming Israel and to end their complicity with genocide and join the international community in opposing Israel’s actions. Peter Marshall/Alamy Live NewsLondon, UK. 9 Aug 2025. Police arrest and carry a protester away. Hundreds, perhaps a thousand or morecampaigners defied the law and sat to Parliament Square with the message “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action” despite warnings they might be arrested under the Terrorism Act. The protest came after Amnesty and international scholars and others had joined many others in calling for the ban to be lifted and permission had been give for a legal action against the ban to go ahead. Police carried away many of them to waiting police vans. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 9 Aug 2025. Members of the United Voices of the World at the Canary Wharf Radisson Blu hotel and the Draughts board game bar both on strike held joint protests at Canary Wharf and here outside the bar in the Leake St graffiti tunnel. The housekeepers are fighting brutal cuts to hours and demanding 40-hour contracts, fair workloads, and the London Living Wage and bar staff are protesting against zero-hour contracts, unpaid training and unsafe working conditions. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 23 Aug 2025. At Starbucks. The Revolutionary Communist Group protest at UK businesses on and around Oxford St which support and profit from the ethnic cleansing, starvation, and genocide of the Palestinian people. Israel’s colonial regime provides high profits, and speeches at each stop detailed evidence against the company. The protest demanded severing all ties with Israel and comprehensive sanctions and claimed the UK government is committed to crushing the Palestine solidarity through state repression and media lies. Peter Marshall.London, UK. Journalists and media workers at Downing Street honour the courageous reporting of the journalists of Gaza who are being deliberately targeted and killed by Israeli attacks on Gaza for telling the world the truth of the genocide. The names of over 240 who are confirmed killed since 7 October 2023 were read out after speeches from Al Jazeera journalist Wael Dadouh, Ahmed Anaouq of We Are Not Numbers and Sangita Myska. Peter Marshall.
12 Days of Christmas -some of my favourite pictures from those I made in June 2025.
London, UK. 4 June 2025. Campaigners form a red line for Palestine around Parliament across both bridges and on both sides of the river during Prime Minister’s Questions to demand the government imposes a full arms embargo and sanctions on Israel immediately. Palestinians are starving and Israel has opened fire on people queueing for the very limited food being left for them by the GHF food aid system which Israel is using as a weapon. Peter MarshallLondon, UK. Billionaires Kill. Several thousand march from the BBC to Whitehall against the government spending more on arms while cutting public services, the NHS and benefits for the disabled – they say is a blueprint for arms manufacturers to print money based on a false narrative. They demand Welfare not Warfare and call for taxes on the rich, cutting down tax avoidance and evasion and an end to cuts. Peter MarshallLondon, UK. 14 June 2025. Hundreds of cyclists rode through London in various states of undress, “as bare as you dare” to raise awareness of issues such as safety of cyclists on the road, reducing oil dependence and saving the planet. The annual London naked ride is one of many in cities around the world and provokes a great deal of interest and hilarity in those, mainly tourists, on the streets of the city. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 14 June 2025. Americans in the UK at the US Embassy in Nine Elms take part in the second Global Day of action by Democrats against Trump at over 1400 locations across the USA and worldwide. They came to show their opposition to Trump-era ineptitude and begin to rebuild American democracy on the day that Trump has organised a four-mile military parade in Washington, D.C. to honour himself. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 21 June 2025. Starmer – what a joke. Many thousands including many Jews march to Whitehall calling an end to the war crime of deliberate starvation of Palestinians in Gaza and demanding a ceasefire there and in the war against Iran. The want action to end the genocide and murder of children. They demand the UK ends all arms sales to Israel and call for a ceasefire and negotiations on both Palestine and Iran with the release of all hostages and prisoners. Peter Marshall.London, UK, 28 June 2025. People march from Islington Green to a rally at Highbury Fields to demand Barclays end funding which supports Israeli genocide in Gaza and continuing apartheid in Palestine as well as environmental destruction by fossil fuel use. Barclays underwrites Israeli ‘was bonds’ and provides billions to support illegal settlements and arms sales to Israel, Palestine Solidarity Campaign was joined by others including CAAT, London Mining Network. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 28 June 2025. Unite Against Fascism held a rally in Whitehall against the cynical attempt by the far right Football Lads Alliance to spread racism and bigotry on the streets of London by a march and rally “against grooming gangs, knife crime and the sexualisation of children” despite many on the far right having been convicted as sex offenders against children. Police kept the two rallies several hundred yards apart. Peter Marshall.
12 Days of Christmas -some of my favourite pictures from those I made in May.
London, UK. 1 May 2025. Socialist Women’s Union. Several thousands met at Clerkenwell Green on May Day before the International Workers Day March to Trafalgar Square. Those taking part included many from London’s various ethnic communities – Turkish, Kurdish, Latin American, West Indian, Indian, Sri Lankan, Tamil, Iraqi, Iranian and more as well as many from UK trade unions, communist and anarchist groups. Many showed their support for Palestine and other international issues. Peter MarshallLondon, UK. 1 May 2025. Hurrah for the Wiphala around the world. Several thousands marched from Clerkenwell Green on May Day for the International Workers Day March to Trafalgar Square. Those taking part included many from London’s various ethnic communities – Turkish, Kurdish, Latin American, West Indian, Indian, Sri Lankan, Tamil, Iraqi, Iranian and more as well as many from UK trade unions, communist and anarchist groups. Many showed their support for Palestine and other international issues. Peter MarshallLondon, UK, 1 May 2025. Sikhs and other supporters of Kashmir protest opposite the Indian High Commission against Modi and his Hindu nationalist government following his threats to Pakistan, suspension of the water-sharing agreement and reprisals against Kashmiris after the 22 April attack which killed 28 tourists. India has implemented a brutal military occupation of areas of Kashmir since they were controversially linked to India at partition in 1947. A smaller protest by the embassy supported Modi. Peter MarshallLondon, UK. 3 May 2025. Ilford. People from Newham and Redbridge march from Ilford and Forest Gate to a rally in Plashet Park, East Ham. They demand food, medicines and fuel be immediately supplied to Gaza where the whole population is being starved to death by the Israeli blockade while the world watches but does nothing. They call for an end to the attacks on the civilian population by Israeli forces and for negations for a peaceful future for Israel and Palestine. Among speakers was a man living in a Palestinian village when it was destroyed by Israel in 1947. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 17 May 2025. Finsbury Circus. Thirty years after Reclaim The Streets held a number of protests against car culture, closing major road junctions temporarily to allow cyclists and pedestrians to enjoy these as free spaces for community and creativity, they came together, hundreds on bicycles and others on foot, to party in Smithfield. Police came to complain about the noise and they agreed to leave and cycle around the City before partying at another venue. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 17 May 2025. As Israel renewed its genocidal attacks on Gaza where people are now starving to death after Israel has blocked all food, fuel and medicines, many thousands including many Jews came to London to march peacefully on the 77th anniversary of the Nakba to a rally at Downing St calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, release of all prisoners and hostages and end to the blockade and for the UK to stop arming Israel. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 24 May 2025. Police forced the protest by ‘Fight Racism, Fight Imperialism’ into a pen 150m from the Israeli Embassy. They demand an end to the Israeli siege of Gaza to save the 14,000 babies who will die unless Israel complies with international law and stops its starvation of the people of Gaza and that the UK cuts all military, financial, diplomatic, and cultural ties with the Zionist state. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 24 May 2025. A protest at Marble Arch by the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) called attention to the continuing executions of political opponents by the regime and called for the abolition of the death penalty in Iran. At the end of the Iran-Iraq war in 1988 Khomeini issued a fatwa ordering the massacre of political prisoners and some 30,000 MEK supporters were hanged and executions and torture still continue. Peter Marshall.London, UK, 24 May 2025. Singing their national anthem. Around 2000 Ukrainians, many wearing traditional Vyshyvanka embroidery and women and girls with floral headdresses met for an opening ceremony at Marble Arch with speeches, prayers and performances mainly by children. They called for justice and an end to the Russian invasion and for Ukraine’s stolen children to be brought home. Children then led the procession to the St Volodymyr Monument at Holland Park. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 31 May 2005. A rally and march around the centre of Peckham organised by SHAPE (Southwark Housing And Planning Emergency) called for the redevelopment of the Aylesham Centre to provide social housing desperately needed for the people of Peckham rather than unaffordable luxury flats for rich investors, with just the token 12% developers Barkeley homes propose, as well as offering a future for the current local traders in the market there. Peter Marshall.
More of my favourite pictures from June 2025 tomorrow.
12 Days of Christmas -some of my favourite pictures from those I made in April 2025.
London, UK. 5 April 2025. The first UK-wide Don’t Buy Apartheid day of action began with a protest outside Sainsbury’s Camden with protesters demanding that Israeli produce and Coca-Cola be removed from the shelves, and asking individual shoppers to join the boycott. Israeli fresh produce is grown in illegal Israeli settlements on stolen Palestinian land and Coca-Cola has a distribution centre for its brands in an illegal settlement in Jerusalem. Peter MarshallLondon, UK. 5 April 2025. A rally in Trafalgar Square joins in the mass mobilisation day of over 1300 protests across the USA by the non-violent Hands Off! campaign. Furious Americans protest against the chaos and lurch towards fascism of the Trump administration with its import tariffs, lunatic proposals on Ukraine and Gaza, threats to invade Canada, Panama and Greenland, gutting public services. Their illegal power grab is destroying democracy for the benefit of their billionaire allies. Peter MarshallLondon, UK. 12 April 2025. Londoners march through the East End from Altab Ali Park in a national day of actions to demand our government immediately stop arming Israel and demand Israel end its genocide which has already killed at least 50,000 Palestinians and displaced more than 90% of Gaza’s population multiple times. They were joined at Bethnal Green by others who had marched from Hackney. Peter Marshall.London, UK. 12 April 2025. A washing line of childrens clothes for the many children killed., A two hour Circle for Palestine vigil around the US Embassy opposite The Surge London Community Camp in Nine Elms showed solidarity with Palestinians and called out the complicity of the USA in the ongoing genocide in Gaza which has already killed at least 50,000 Palestinians and displaced more than 90% of Gaza’s population multiple times. They hold banners in a two hour vigil around the Embassy building. Peter MarshallLondon, UK. 19 April 2025. Many thousands fill Parliament Square for a rally and march through Westminster after the Supreme Court ruling that ‘sex’ in the 2010 Equality Act means biological sex and that the legal definition of a woman excludes trans women. Although the judgement also stressed the importance of t2010 Equality Act London, UK. 26 April 2025. Luke Watson photo, Hundreds of Just Stop Oil supporters came to St James Park for a final march to celebrate the success of their civil resistance and to protest the draconian sentences being served by many of those involved in their peaceful protests, with others still awaiting trial. They marched around Parliament Square, many holding photographs of the ‘political prisoners’ before marching to a rally at the law courts. Peter MarshallLondon, UK. 26 April 2025. Hundreds of farmers, growers, foresters and land-based workers in The Landworkers’ Alliance march behind a tractor from a rally in Vauxhall to the Home Office to call for systemic change in our food system. They want a legal right to nutritous ecologically produced food for all and a national strategy to prioritise healthy food production and give fair incomes for land workers, including seasonal migrant workers who currently are illegally exploited. Peter Marshall
Some of my favourite pictures from those I made in February 2025:
London, UK. 1 Feb 2025. Anti-fascists in London oppose the protest by supporters of racist Tommy Robinson against his imprisonment for contempt of court. It comes shortly after Donald Trump took over as US President with Elon Musk making a Nazi salute, extreme right parties on the rise in Europe, and Farage claiming Reform UK has over 180,000 members. The London march says fascists are not welcome on our streets and is against all forms of racism including antisemitism and Islamophobia. Peter Marshall
Some of my favourite pictures from those I made in January 2025:
London, UK. 11 Jan 2025. TRUMP CLIMATE CATATROSPHE. US Embassy protest called by Campaign against Climate Change rejects Trumps climate denial and demands urgent action as world reaches 1.5 degree man-made temperature rise and climate disasters occur around the world. Trump has said he will pull the US out of the Paris agreement and his example will embolden climate deniers around the world, threatening homes, livelihoods and lives of billions, particularly in the poorest countries which have done least to cause our climate chaos. Peter MarshallLondon, UK. 18 Jan 2025. After police had banned their march from the BBC on spurious political grounds the march organisers decided to hold a rally in Whitehall. Speakers and marchers welcomed the current ceasefire agreement but continued to call for a permanent end to the genocide, an end to arms sales to Israel, for the release of all hostages and prisoners, for urgent humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza and for peace with justice for Palestinians. Over a thousand police surrounded and harassed the protesters to prevent them marching. Peter MarshallLondon, UK. 18 Jan 2025. Police harass a group of holocaust survivors and familes, making the move further up Whitehall. After police had banned their march from the BBC on spurious political grounds the march organisers decided to hold a rally in Whitehall. Speakers and marchers welcomed the current ceasefire agreement but continued to call for a permanent end to the genocide, an end to arms sales to Israel, for the release of all hostages and prisoners, for urgent humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza and for peace with justice for Palestinians. Over a thousand police surrounded and harassed the protesters to prevent them marching. Peter MarshallLondon, UK. 18 Jan 2025. After police had banned their march from the BBC on spurious political grounds the march organisers decided to hold a rally in Whitehall. Speakers and marchers welcomed the current ceasefire agreement but continued to call for a permanent end to the genocide, an end to arms sales to Israel, for the release of all hostages and prisoners, for urgent humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza and for peace with justice for Palestinians. Over a thousand police surrounded and harassed the protesters to prevent them marching but sherperded the front few rows through the of marchers through the police line into Trafalgar Square, where they were arrested.London, UK. 27 Jan 2025. At the start of Jubilee Year 2025 campaigners of all faiths and none begin their global campaign for debt justice at the Treasury demanding the cancellation of global debts owed to the rich world by countries in the Global South. A campaign by Jubilee 2000 at the previous Jubilee led to the cancellation of billions of dollars of debts. Jubilee years in ancient civilisations and Bibel law restored social balance and reduced inequality and symbolised justice, renewal and liberation. Peter MarshallLondon, UK. 29 Jan 2025. Bus Drivers marched from Victoria to Parliament accompanied by Caroline Russell, AM.. They call for proper rest breaks to avoid fatigue that leads to mistakes – in the last 10 years 80 people have died in collisions involving buses. They demand clean, serviced toilet and rest facilities on all bus routes and for proper heating and air conditioning in cabs. Peter Marshall/Alamy Live NewsLondon, UK. 29 Jan 2025. Members of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a civil, volunteer-based organisation focused on the safe return of all Israeli citizens held hostage by the terrorist organization Hamas, stood in silence facing Downing Street holding up photographs of those still held in Gaza. There message was simple ‘Bring them home now – by any means necessary’. Peter MarshallLondon, UK. 29 Jan 2025. Teachers from non-academy sixth form colleges on strike against a two-tier pay system which would mean them getting paid 2% less than colleagues in academies came to a National Education Union rally at parliament against this obvious injustice, demanding equal pay. Sicth form colleges receive 22% less funding than secondary schools. Two further strike days are planned next month.Peter MarshallLondon, UK 30 Jan 2025. A large crowd at the law courts in Strand support 16 climate activists – JSO16 – appealing their jail sentences for standing up for our planet’s future. Judges prevented juries from hearing the reasons they acted. At first people stood on the pavement with placards but soon hundreds marched in carrying posters with captions and large pictures of political prisoners and sat down blocking the road as an exhibition. Police warned them they might be arrested. Peter MarshallLondon, UK 30 Jan 2025. People remember the 53rd anniversary of Bloody Sunday when British soldiers opened fire on a peaceful protest march in Derry against internment without trial, killing 26 unarmed civilians. The vigil in Parliament Square organised by the Terence MacSwiney Committee called for justice. Speakers including several MPs linked the killing with other conflicts caused by British imperialism including the current genocide in Palestine, expressing support for the Palestinian people. Peter Marshall
Howls of protest for death of the NHS – a campaigner howls and bangs a pan lid
NHS campaigners came to Downing Street on Friday 23rd December 2016, the day that contracts were signed for 44 areas covering the whole of England to implement the government’s ‘Sustainability and Transformation Plans’ (STP).
Paula Peters of Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC)
Including many health professionals the campaigners saw these plans as the last nail in the coffin of the NHS, effectively handing over the NHS to private companies without any public engagement of consultation, ending a public service whose vision which has long been the envy of the world, signing the NHS over for private profit.
The government’s ‘Sustainability and Transformation Plans’ (STP) – Slash, Trash & Plunder
A series of speeches was interrupted every 15 minutes by three long and loud ‘howls of protest‘, timed to coincide with three social media ‘Thunderclaps’ across Facebook, Twitter & Tumblr by several hundreds unable to be there in person.
Among speakers were Paula Peters of DPAC, Ealing Councillor Aysha Raza, trainee nurse Anthony Johnson of the Bursary or Bust campaign, trainee mental health nurse Gina, a patient and campaigner and retired Paediatrician Tony O’Sullivan, Co-chair of Keep Our NHS Public.
People start a ‘Howl of Protest’ for the NHS
At the end of the rally, a small group of those present, led by DPAC and a banner listing of few of those who had died because of government cuts marched down Whitehall holding up traffic for a final howl outside Parliament and a speech there by Paula Peters.
The police got a little aggressive and started pushing the protesters and threatening arrest
As they came to the end of Parliament Street police came to harass them, threatening them with arrest if they did not get onto the pavement. Like many such police interventions this only prolonged the traffic holdup as the protesters were about to cross the road to the wide pavement outside Parliament but were delayed by police arguing with them.
Sustainability and transformation plans were fortunately short-lived and soon morphed into ‘sustainability and transformation partnerships‘ which by 2018 were becoming known as ‘integrated care systems‘, and then were expected to evolve into ‘accountable care systems‘. It all reflected an increasing half-baked emphasis on managers and management changes which damaged the ability of the NHS to actually treat patients.
Many feel that government policies – under both Tories and Labour – have been designed to wreck the NHS so it can be replaced by an insurance-based system – with great profits for the mainly US-based healthcare companies who make large financial contributions to leading politicians and in which many also have a direct financial interest.