Tens of thousands march in central London to rally for Gaza; charity group raises millions

8/9/2014
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Protesters against military action in Gaza gather by the BBC building Saturday in central London.
Protesters against military action in Gaza gather by the BBC building Saturday in central London.

LONDON — Tens of thousands of people have turned out in central London to protest the bombing of Gaza.

Large crowds of protesters marched through the British capital’s busy West End shopping area on Saturday, passing the U.S. Embassy before descending on Hyde Park for a rally.

Many waved placards and the Palestinian flag, chanting “Free, Free Palestine!”

Saturday’s rally came as Britain’s Disasters Emergency Committee said its appeal for donations to help people affected by the conflict in Gaza has raised more than $7.5 million in less than 24 hours.

Israeli airstrikes and militant rocket fire continued Saturday after a three-day cease-fire ended Friday.