Copyright: BBC
The march through central Malmö was large and loud, but it was peaceful. Thousands of people joined the protest, chanting pro-Palestinian slogans and condemnation of the war in Gaza interspersed with chants of "Boycott Eurovision!"
Many were waving giant Palestinian flags, while others had them draped over bicycles and children’s prams. At several points, men in the crowd set off smoke flares in the red and green of the Palestinian flag, as the drumming and chanting intensified.
The protesters streamed past cafes and Saturday shoppers, who stood back and watched.
The march was authorised by the city authorities and although there were many police on duty - we saw vans of riot police, and both plain-clothed and regular officers - most kept a vigilant distance.
The atmosphere was calm - although the chants were passionate, sometimes ear-splitting.
At one point a woman unfurled a sign demanding the return of Israeli hostages from Gaza, telling the BBC she felt they had been forgotten in the noise of the pro-Palestinian rallies.
Several police officers stood close by, as if shielding her from the crowd across the street.
An Israeli man, in town for Eurovision, told the BBC the protests went beyond condemning Israeli military action, with calls for "intifada, revolution" and other chants.
"This is not about ‘ceasefire now!" he argued and said he and other Israelis would keep their distance. The rally ended after about four hours, the crowd apparently dispersing peacefully.
Copyright: BBC
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2024-05-11 18:56:15Z
CBMiO2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL2xpdmUvZW50ZXJ0YWlubWVudC1hcnRzLTY4OTkyNjk00gEA
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