Campaigners from Dorset attended the pro-Palestinian march in London on a day of action which saw more than 120 arrests made - mostly of far-right counter-protesters.

A coached filled with 53 people from the county left Weymouth early on Saturday, November 11 to take part in the Armistice Day demonstration which called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.  

The events in London came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected growing international calls for a ceasefire.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman was accused of emboldening members of far-right groups, dozens of whom were arrested over the course of the day.

Portland town councillor Giovanna Lewis was one of the Dorset residents to attend the protest, which saw hundreds of thousands march from Hyde Park to the US embassy in Vauxhall.

She said she did not witness any bad behaviour.

She said: “We saw nothing at all. I wonder how much of that behaviour was encouraged by the Home Secretary.

“It’s appalling. The police are thinking about the safety and security of the people but all we saw was goodness. I feel for the police as they are just ordinary people. They shouldn’t have to put up with abuse.”

“It was a wonderful day, friendly, peaceful and people were really helpful to us.

“It was inspiring to see so many people call for a ceasefire.

“I hope the government and opposition take note."

Police confirmed that 126 arrests were made during protests on Saturday whilst nine officers were injured over the course of the day.

The majority of those arrested were from far-right groups who confronted police officers near the Cenotaph – nowhere near where the protesters were marching.

However, a breakaway group of around 150 people from the pro-Palestinian march, who were firing fireworks and wearing face coverings, were later detained in Grosvenor Place, the Met said.

Police also said that around 300,000 people attended the march but event organisers say there were several hundred thousand more.

Cllr Lewis added: “I heard there was about 800,000 from the organisers.

“I’ve never been on a march like it.

“We walked for just over three hours, we didn’t even do half of the march there were so many people there.

"I’ve never seen the likes of it - I think it was bigger than the Iraq march in 2003.”

The Dorset branch of the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign is holding a vigil in Weymouth on Monday, November 13 that will focus on the plight of Palestine’s children.

It is being held at the Jubilee Clock from 7pm-8pm.