Five UK cities are being targeted by Youth Demand, an undercover investigation found
Pro-Palestine activists are planning to disrupt Armistice Day events across the UK with a series of “highly coordinated” protests next week. Five UK cities are in the crosshairs of Youth Demand, as revealed by an undercover investigation.
The activist group met with Just Stop Oil at a members-only bar in central London for an exclusive event on Saturday, November 2. The West Dock gathering, dubbed ‘Politics is Broken: People’s Assembly and After Party’, saw over 50 activists convene to hear speeches and discuss policy while enjoying vegan food and drinks.
Arthur Clifton, a Youth Demand activist, informed the crowd about the group’s plans to cause disruption from Monday, November 11 – a day when thousands across Britain will pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for our country.
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“This is the start of our strategy coming into place on November 11. With five cities across the country, Youth Demand will be getting out onto the roads, swarming, causing disruption, [and] getting off before arrests are made, hopefully,” said the 23-year-old Clifton, who attended the prestigious £8,600-a-term Latymer Upper School.
He added that the protests would mean “highly coordinated, highly organised disruption on a nationwide level”. He also hinted at further chaos around Black Friday, a significant discount day for British retailers and consumers, held on the last Friday in November, reports the Express.
This year’s event, held on November 29, saw Clifton, believed to be a Londoner, hint at “exciting plans”, adding: “That’s all I’m saying.”
A call to action was posted on Youth Demand’s Telegram channel on November 5, alerting activists that “in just over a week, our nationally coordinated actions will be popping off all over the country.”
The post ended with an ominous note towards Remembrance ceremonies in five undisclosed cities: “We know we have to shut it down for Palestine.”
Clifton, however, did not disclose which cities were being targeted during his speech, nor was this information revealed in the Telegram post. Earlier in the evening, Just Stop Oil activist Sam Griffiths rallied the crowd, promising that his group of eco-activists would be “relentless” in their targeting of Parliament in 2025.
The 49-year-old, who served time in Wandsworth Prison in 2023 for participating in a protest, declared to the audience: “We are not giving up”. He continued: “The context has changed. Yes, we’re facing crazy repression, but do we still have the will, the energy and the direction to fight? Yes, the answer is yes.”
He added: “That we can still take action is a profound privilege and one we must continue to use.”
He criticised the Labour government’s £2.5bn investment in carbon capture technology, calling it a “stupid gamble on untested technology,” and argued for a focus on reducing emissions instead.
He concluded: “That is why we’re doubling down on Just Stop Oil by 2030.”
“And where are we going to focus our effort? It’s going to be in parliament in the New Year. We’re going to take action again, and again, and again. We’re going to be relentless, determined and steadfast.”
The meeting was organised by Umbrella, the parent organisation that includes Just Stop Oil, Youth Demand, and other direct action groups. It took place from 4.30pm to 10pm at Dockside Vaults, an underground bar located in the shadow of the Tower of London.
An inquiry was made to the bar in question about the typical cost of booking an event on a Saturday night during these hours. The quoted fee for a full day was £10,000, but it was clarified that for a small group with short notice, the venue could be booked for £1,500.
This would include access to a bar, staff and security. The event was overseen by security, and attendees were given two soft drink vouchers, access to complimentary home-cooked vegan food prepared by activists, and access to the venue’s bar.
Dockside Vaults declined to comment when approached. The Royal British Legion said that they hope Remembrance events across the country proceed “without disruption”.
A spokesperson said: “Remembrance is a time for the nation to come together to remember those who have served in the British Armed Forces protecting the democratic freedoms we all benefit from today.”
“Whilst we respect the right of people to protest within the law, we believe the Two-Minute Silence on Armistice Day is a time for remembrance, and we hope Remembrance events can go ahead without disruption.”
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police have labelled any attempts to disrupt Armistice Day events as “entirely unacceptable” and have assured that they will be met with “robust action.”
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward has emphasized: “Any attempt to disrupt the solemnity and importance of Armistice Day events is entirely unacceptable.”
Furthermore, he stated: “The public would expect us to take robust action against anyone who does so and we will. We have policing plans in place across London to protect those attending public events, and you will see us intervene swiftly to deal with individuals breaking the law.”
