HUNDREDS of protesters marched through High Wycombe town centre today as they voiced their dismay over the ongoing violence in Gaza.

The numbers of supporters grew throughout the afternoon with more than 300 people estimated to have joined in the campaigner’s parade.

There was a big police presence in Frogmoor, where the group met to carry out a peaceful protest in the town centre.

It appeared no trouble was caused on the day as many voiced their anger against the ‘British Government’s silence’ on the ongoing violence in Gaza.

As well as the march along the high street, many called for changes to be made during rallying speeches at 12pm.

Organisers said there would have been even more support in the town, but two coach loads of supporters travelled to London for a protest in the capital.

There were other protests in Milton Keynes and two in Oxford today, with another expected in Aylesbury tomorrow.

One of the main organisers, Zahir, from High Wycombe, said: “I think today was a huge success, we decided to hold this parade to get the message out.

“It must have worked when we had so many people here, marching through the streets. We have also arranged for a meeting with Steve Baker (MP for High Wycombe) to discuss the issues.

“One thing we wanted to get across is this is not a race issue, it is a humanitarian issue and we all need to do something about it.

“As well as raising awareness we have also raised some money to donate to people who need it out there.

“The turnout was amazing here, there were lots of people and to march on the high street was something which would have further boosted awareness.

“We would have had even more people here today but many went off to London to join in a larger protest.”

Saqib Deshmukh, one of the lead protesters, pictured with the megaphone in the march, said it was good to see so many supporters.

He said: “This went really well, people need to be made aware of the issues in Gaza and Palestine and hopefully with so many people joining in events like this people will get the message.”

Organisers also thanked Thames Valley Police in their help in allowing a peaceful protest in the town.

Chief Inspector Colin Seaton, Deputy Local Police Area Commander for High Wycombe, earlier said it is the right of people to protest in a peaceful manner and so we are helping to facilitate that.