Southampton: Palestine march to be held on Remembrance Sunday

People angry at the huge number of civilians being killed and injured in Gaza will assemble at the Bargate before marching to the Peace Fountain in nearby East Park.

Hundreds are expected to take part in the event, which is being staged by the Muslim Council of Southampton and Palestine Solidarity Campaign Southampton.

Posting online, organisers said: "This protest is for absolutely everyone who wants peace."

The event is due to start at 2pm, more than two hours after almost all the Remembrance Sunday services in Southampton have ended.

• Hundreds call for Gaza ceasefire at Southampton rally

Hundreds of civilians have been killed or injured in Israeli bombing raids on Gaza since the conflict began on October 7 (Image: AP Photo)

An estimated 10,300 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict between Hamas and Israel began on October 7. This figure comes from the Hamas-run health ministry.

Glyn Oliver, of Palestine Solidarity Campaign Southampton, said the peaceful protest would "give people an opportunity to express their horror and disgust at what's going on".

"If they're not being killed or buried under rubble, children are being terrorised. We believe there should be a ceasefire."

Mr Oliver described the bombardment of Gaza as "totally indiscriminate and unjustified", adding: "The stark images we're seeing on our TV screens are horrendous."

Thousands of civilians have been killed or injured in Israeli bombing raids on Gaza since the conflict began on October 7 (Image: AP Photo)

A large pro-Palestinian march is due to take place in London on Saturday.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has described the decision to stage a demonstration on Armistice Day as "provocative and disrespectful".

But Mr Oliver said: "It's important to remember that people are dying now."

Royston Smith, Conservative MP for Southampton Itchen, said: "I think people should be free to make their views known on any subject or issue within the law.

"I’m grateful they will not disrupt the Remembrance commemorations on Sunday morning.

"Israel’s response to the horrendous terror attacks on October 7 is entirely predictable. I am disappointed that so few people have either acknowledged the awful murders when contacting me or felt the need to take to the streets to denounce the terrorists who carried out those heinous crimes."

Details of Southampton's main Remembrance Sunday service have been published by the city council. You can see them here.

Military contingents and the City of Southampton (Albion) Band will leave Guildhall Square at 10.35am and head towards the Cenotaph in Watts Park, where the service will begin just before 11am.

Everyone is welcome to attend the service, which is expected to last about an hour.

The Lord Mayor, Cllr Valerie Laurent, and the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Col Charles Ackroyd, are among those who will be present.