Police will monitor the protest to ensure it is peaceful
Lisa Letcher Senior Reporter
10:46, 09 May 2026Updated 11:03, 09 May 2026
Police presence during a previous protest in Bristol (file image)(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach Plc)
Disruption is expected on the roads around Bristol city centre today (Saturday, May 9) because of a protest.
Avon and Somerset Police is warning the public to expect traffic disruption and a police presence in the Castle Park and Broadmead areas to ensure protesters stay safe and within the law. Officers say drivers may face longer journey times between 12.30 and 2.30pm.
A spokesperson for the force said: “We are warning members of the public to expect some traffic disruption during a protest which is planned to take place in Bristol city centre today (Saturday 9 May).
“Officers will be in the Castle Park and Broadmead areas this morning to enable peaceful protest. We have engaged with the organiser and understand the route of the march will take in Welsh Back, Queen Square, Colston Avenue, Quay Street, Union Street, and Penn Street and therefore could lead to increased journey times between 12.30-2.30pm.”
Chief inspector Keith Smith, of the Bristol Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Our aim is to enable a peaceful protest to take place and we have sufficient resources in place to do so.
“We are also expecting some level of disruption to the road network in the surrounding area while the protest takes place, so we would advise people to plan their journeys in advance.”
It is understood that the protest is being organised by Bristol Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Bristol Apartheid Free Zone, Stop the War Bristol and Bristol Trades Union Council. It’s called Bristol Nakba78 and is a march for Palestine. Participants are assembling at the bandstand in Castle Park at midday.