A MAKA seller was allegedly punched as he fled Edinburgh train station during a pro-Palestinian protest after protesters staged a sit-in.
The Scottish Poppy Appeal said the elderly volunteer packed up a stall at Edinburgh Waverly station and fled when hundreds of people flooded the hall.
4
A 78-year-old war veteran said he was punched by his grandfathers at a protest at Edinburgh’s Waverley station
4
This poppy seller was forced to leave Edinburgh Waverley station after allegedly being punched by yobsCredit: Twitter
4
Hundreds of protesters gathered around a poppy seller (circled) Credit: Twitter
4
It came after protesters surrounded poppy sellers at Charing Cross stationCredit: Getty
Jim Henderson, 78, was allegedly attacked by youths.
Footage on social media showed the veteran desperately trying to escape as a swarm of protesters descended on the station on Saturday.
The 78-year-old told the Daily Mail: “I was pushed backwards, in danger of falling, and one of them stepped on my foot and broke my toe.
“So I thought I had to get the money out of here. So I went down and while I was bending down someone hit me in the back.
“And then I got another shot in the side.”
The horrific attack ended only when three railway women pushed the yobs away.
Jim, who served in the Royal Corps of Signals during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, continued: “I’ve never known anything like it.”
“Chanting. Saying it’s the British government.”
The mob held placards and waved Palestinian flags as they demanded a ceasefire.
Poppy sellers in other parts of the country have also found themselves at the center of protests – which Home Affairs Minister Suella Braverman has labeled “hate marches”.
Pictures from the weekend show poppy sellers gathered among a group of protesters at Charing Cross station in London.
It comes as police urged protesters to “urgently review” any protests over the truce weekend.
Senior officers in the force are concerned about splinter groups intending to commit crimes and riots during commemorative events.
Metohija police officers said they were “constantly reviewing intelligence ahead of the weekend and would respond “appropriately”.
Footage of the protest in Edinburgh shows people chanting and holding a large “Freedom for Palestine” banner in front of a poppy seller.
The Scottish Daily Express reports that staff at the station helped Poppy Appeal volunteers.
Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters staged a protest at a traffic stop after claims that police blocked the march route.
About 10,000 people in Gaza have been killed in Israeli bombardment since October 7, with 200 killed in airstrikes overnight.
Marches and protests calling for a ceasefire have been held across the UK, with more expected this weekend.
On Saturday, protesters were seen circling a Royal British Legion poppy vendor during another protest at Charing Cross station in London.
The station was briefly closed before police chased away the protesters.
Do you know poppy sellers? Email Harry Goodwin: [email protected]
Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer said: “If anyone knows these poppy sellers please send me a DM.
“I’ll try to tinker with them tomorrow.
“The saddest thing my generation of veterans has ever told me is that they struggle to recognize the country they wore the uniform for.
“That’s not it, we can’t let it be like this.
“London is a big city; there are plenty of areas to protest – a right that servicemen and women are proud to serve – without seeming like they’re trying to intimidate ordinary citizens trying to raise some money for Poppy Day – a non-political symbol.”
It comes as Just Stop Oil protesters descended on Whitehall and were seen targeting the Cenotaph as fears grow over Sunday’s Remembrance Parade.
Just Stop Oil protesters were photographed lying next to a war memorial today, and police arrested at least 40 of them.
The group performed a light march towards the memorial.
One officer said protesters were moved to the site “to get them off the road”, adding: “It was for their own safety, obviously the road is quite busy.”
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced on X that “the targeting of the Cenotaph is completely unacceptable”.
She added: “Full support to the police in taking the necessary measures.”
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education