Protesters clash as pro-Iranian demonstrators hold memorial for assassinated Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in London
Tensions rose in central London as rival groups clashed at the commemoration ceremony for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated in Iran.
There was a heavy police presence at the Islamic Center of Britain in Maida Vale on Saturday afternoon.
The Metropolitan Police and City of London Police were seen working to calm the outbursts, asking disruptive protesters to move on and regulate traffic.
According to Sky News, Met officials said that 25 people were arrested due to protests in London today, 18 of whom were arrested for supporting the Palestinian protest.
Two police officers were seen watching the protest with a video camera from the balcony of a residence opposite the center.
Outside the center, demonstrators held banners with photos of Khamenei and waved the Iranian flag.
Many wore keffiyehs and some carried Palestinian flags and banners with slogans such as ‘Boycott Israel’, ‘Stop bombing Iran’ and ‘Free Palestine’.
People attend a memorial event outside the Islamic Center UK in London for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died in US strikes on Iran last month
Met officials today confirmed the arrest of 18 people supporting Palestine Action
While Iranians protest in front of the Iranian Embassy in London to show their support for regime change in Iran in the face of Israel and the US attack on Iran, one Iranian is carrying the Israeli flag and others are chanting ‘Long live Iran, long live Israel’.
There was a large group of counter-protesters shouting at the group from the other side of the road; many carried the sun and lion flag that represented Iran before the 1979 revolution that overthrew the Pahlavi dynasty.
One banner carried by an opposing protester showed US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and read: “We Count on You.”
Counter-protesters chanted slogans, played music and honked horns, and did a lot of dancing and singing.
Many held banners with photos of Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi.
A group of counter-protesters arrived in convoy on motorcycles, waving the sun and lion flag.
Some drivers passing the protest by car or motorcycle honked their horns and waved both current and former Iranian flags.
Some drivers held peace signs, while others shouted in support or opposition of both sides, and at least one vehicle was chased by several opposing protesters.
Refreshments were served to those who attended the commemoration ceremony outside the center.
