Thousands Protest against UK Role in Saudi War on Yemen

Protesters took place around the UK to highlight and condemn the atrocities of the Yemen war, which has now been raging for five years. Hundreds of young people marched through central London in solidarity with the millions of Yemenis suffering the evils of war, in addition to cholera, famine and COVID-19, CounterFire reported.

Starting outside the BBC on Portland Place, speakers made calls for the BBC to fairly report on the horrific war: the indubitable bias of the BBC towards the government was highlighted, and demonstrators demanded that the mainstream media report on Britain’s heavy involvement in the war.

This presence amped up as the protesters marched down Whitehall, and stopped across the road from Downing Street. Plenty of passing cars, buses and mopeds beeped their horns in solidarity with the protesters. Here, organizers spoke to emphasize the horrific violence of the Yemen war, and how these are affecting normal Yemenis. A minute’s silence was held to remember the many victims and many on the march prayed for those who have lost their lives. Chants then continued in both English and Arabic, but included the now very popular ‘Boris is a wasteman’, and ‘Boris Johnson’s a racist’.

From here, the plan was to march to Westminster bridge, though after some deliberation, organizers decided to wait in Parliament Square for a group of Black Lives Matter protesters who had set off from Hyde Park earlier on.

While waiting, speakers began to highlight why it is crucial to support Black Lives Matter, and why solidarity is key in any struggle for liberty. This was met with enthusiastic applause from the demonstration. Links were made between the Yemen war, racism, Islamophobia in the country. The energy was defiant as the Black Lives Matter protesters caught up with the rest of the protest.