Rise of the Protest Movement

Since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, a significant protest movement has emerged in the UK, advocating for Palestinian rights. This movement is characterized by its size, the largest since the suffragist protests, and has faced serious backlash, including accusations of anti-Semitism and aggressive police tactics. The government's response has gravitated towards authoritarianism, signified by Home Secretary Suella Braverman's inflammatory remarks which labeled the marches as hate-driven events. The events following October 7 have illustrated how the convergence of state power and public sentiment can shape the narrative and the policing of social movements.