Six individuals were arrested on Thursday following a protest by Greenpeace activists at the US embassy in London, where approximately 300 litres of blood-red dye were poured into a pond. The demonstration aimed to oppose US arms sales to Israel amidst ongoing violence in Gaza.

The incident occurred at the embassy's location in Nine Elms, south-west London, where Greenpeace UK reported that twelve activists were involved in the event. The dye used was described as non-toxic and biodegradable, and the containers were delivered to the embassy by activists on bicycles equipped with trailers disguised as delivery vehicles. This was aimed at highlighting what the group called "the death and devastation caused in Gaza" due to U.S. weapons sales.

Will McCallum, co-executive director of Greenpeace UK, was identified among those detained, as confirmed by the environmental organisation. The Metropolitan Police stated that they arrested six people on suspicion of criminal damage and conspiracy to cause criminal damage, though it was noted that the protestors did not breach the secure perimeter of the embassy since the pond was accessible via a public footpath.

Areeba Hamid, also a co-executive director at Greenpeace UK, commented on the serious implications of the US government's role in the conflict, saying, “We’ve turned the embassy pond blood red because US weapons continue to fuel an indiscriminate war that’s seen bombs dropped on schools and hospitals.” She called on US President Donald Trump to heed the concerns of the American public regarding arms sales.

In response, a spokesperson for the US embassy emphasised their support for the right to peaceful protest but condemned any actions that resulted in property damage, stating that the event had "damaged a 1.5 million gallon water supply on the property, wasting a local environmental resource."

Earlier the same day, a separate protest occurred, organised by a group known as Youth Demand, which also called for an end to arms sales to Israel. This group reportedly blocked traffic on Buckingham Palace Road and Waterloo Road around 9 am, using banners and smoke flares to draw attention to their cause.

Source: Noah Wire Services