Pro-Palestine protesters & eco-zealots join forces to surround British Museum as tourists barred from entering
PRO-Palestine protesters and eco-zealots have joined forces to surround the British Museum with tourists barred from entering.
A group who call themselves 'Energy Embargo for Palestine' marched on the historic building this afternoon and gathered in front of the entrance.
The group is understood to be an alliance between pro-Palestine groups and those linked to Just Stop Oil.
It forced the London museum to shut down two entrances while protesters holding banners and Palestinian flags gathered outside chanting.
The museum was forced to evacuate visitors as a temporary measure but has since reopened, the Mail reports.
Energy Embargo for Palestine posted on X/Twitter earlier today: "After the police and museum have collaborated to block the public from going into the museum today, we have staged a protest outside!"
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Protesters had plans to make their stand inside the museum lobby but failed - forcing it to take place at the entrance.
They are targeting the British Museum because of its sponsorship with British Petroleum (BP).
The Met Police and the British Museum were made aware of the planned protest.
Energy Embargo for Palestine previously protested at the museum in the capital on February 11.
A British Museum spokesperson said: "The British Museum respects other people’s right to express their views and allows peaceful protest onsite at the Museum as long as there is no risk to the collection, staff or visitors."
Israel’s response to the October 7 killings and kidnappings in the country by Hamas sparked pro-Palestinian protests across the UK.
Marches across London have brought the city to a standstill and resulted in several arrests.
In March, Welsh singer Charlotte led thousands of marchers calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Five people were arrested at the march, including a man "carrying a shield and wearing a helmet".
Meanwhile, eco-zealots are planning more protests in April in collaboration with pro-Palestine activists after the group admitted "they're too white and middle-class".
In a strategy meeting, a protester called Olive told the group they need to "break out of this white, middle-class, student bubble".