There was a large police presence in York as two demos took place alongside each other in the city centre.
The Yorkshire Rally and Demo for Palestine had arranged to assemble in St Helen’s Square at 1pm, before listening to speeches then marching through the city.
A much smaller gathering for the Great British National Strike was also in the square by noon.
Video
Police liaison officers asked if those taking part in the strike would move to St Sampson’s Square. But they chose to stay where they were.
Those taking part declined to be interviewed about what had prompted them to join the event.
The organisers of the national event had warned participants not to talk to the “mainstream media outlets” who could “potentially twist your words”.
One woman did tell a police officer: “It’s not a protest. I’m 69, I’m here for my grandchildren.
“I’m not protesting, I’m just here. Solidarity. Because that’s where we were told to be, with like-minded people who care about this country. Patriots.”
Richard Murgatroyd from the York Palestine Assembly explained that their demonstration was to “stand by the people of Gaza, who, it’s quite clear, are experiencing a genocide at this point”.
Asked about the Great British Strike gathering, he said: “The first thing I’d say is, I think everyone should have the right to protest. This is supposed to be a democracy.
“But really what happened was that we booked this space because when you organise a demonstration, you can’t just turn up.
“You’ve got to work it all out with the police. And those guys didn’t. And you know what worries me, really, is that I suspect they’re here really just to disrupt.”
In the event, save for some minor confrontations and jeering, the two events passed off peacefully.
At one point a legion of Romans, from the Eboracum Festival taking place this weekend, walked past both groups, getting a big cheer.
Hundreds of Palestine supporters listenened to a number of speakers descibing the terrible experiences of the people in Gaza and calling on the Israeli government to end its military operations.
Demonstrators chanted “Ceasefire now!” and carried placards saying “Stop starving Gaza” and “No ethnic cleansing”.
They then embarked on a march through the city.