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Thousands protest in Tamil rally Tamils rally outside Parliament
(about 7 hours later)
Thousands of Tamil protesters have forced the closure of London's Westminster Bridge, demanding the UK government act to end war in Sri Lanka. Hundreds of Tamil protesters are continuing their rally outside Parliament demanding the government acts to end war in Sri Lanka.
Eight rescue boats were called out amid fears demonstrators would jump en-masse into the Thames if they could not speak to Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Police estimate 900 are still on the streets after camping out overnight but officers and police vans have now moved in to try to contain the protest.
Police say about 3,000 people have been involved but no-one has been arrested. Rescue boats remain on standby amid fears demonstrators will jump en-masse from Westminster Bridge.
The UN says 150,000 people are trapped in Sri Lanka's northern war zone and Tamils claim human rights abuses. A man is in hospital after jumping into the Thames. No-one has been arrested.
Illegal protest
Scenes from Parliament Square showed protesters boxed in by scores of police officers and police vehicles.
Some scuffles appeared to break out but until then police had described the atmosphere as peaceful.
The BBC's Andy Moore said some women and children were protesting alongside men and as the police moved in, one protester lifted a child on to his shoulders.
The UN says 150,000 people are trapped in Sri Lanka's northern war zone while Tamils claim they are victims of human rights abuses.
Sri Lanka's government has rejected calls for a ceasefire with the Tamil Tiger rebel group, which wants independence.Sri Lanka's government has rejected calls for a ceasefire with the Tamil Tiger rebel group, which wants independence.
The BBC's Andy Moore said that despite the rally being technically illegal, police were still allowing people to join the crowd in the hope they would disperse overnight. These are people who have relatives and friends in Sri Lanka; people who have lost brothers and fathers and sisters Suren SurendiranBritish Tamils Forum class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7986915.stm"> In pictures: Tamils' London rally
"They are here for the long term, the protesters say. There are families covered with sheets and blankets and children sleeping, despite the noise," he added. The illegal protest has been going on outside the Palace of Westminster since 1600 BST (1500 GMT) on Monday. At its peak as many as 3,000 demonstrators had gathered in the shadow of Big Ben.
Police have closed Westminster Bridge and some surrounding roads causing major disruption to morning rush-hour traffic. Services at Westminster underground station have also been affected.
Participants failed to give notice of the demonstration and have been waving flags showing the emblem of the Tamil Tigers, which is banned in the UK as a terrorist organisation.
The BBC's Andy Moore said families had spent the night covered with sheets and blankets as children slept, despite the noise.
By about 0800 BST (0700 GMT), he said, it appeared protesters were beginning to leave, but shortly afterwards the police moved in.
Four RNLI lifeboats, supported by police and fire launches, remain at the scene after the Tamils had threatened to leap into the Thames.
'Stop genocide''Stop genocide'
Suren Surendiran, of the British Tamils Forum, said the protest had been led by students, but that people of all ages from across the UK had joined in.Suren Surendiran, of the British Tamils Forum, said the protest had been led by students, but that people of all ages from across the UK had joined in.
"These are people who have relatives and friends in Sri Lanka; people who have lost brothers and fathers and sisters," he said."These are people who have relatives and friends in Sri Lanka; people who have lost brothers and fathers and sisters," he said.
"As British citizens, they want the UK government to act. Rather than just calling for a ceasefire, they should go to the UN security council to demand one.""As British citizens, they want the UK government to act. Rather than just calling for a ceasefire, they should go to the UN security council to demand one."
The protesters have occupied the bridge since Monday afternoon, many carrying banners reading "Stop Sri Lanka's Genocide of Tamils", chanting or banging drums. Many of the protesters are carrying banners with slogans such as "Stop Sri Lanka's Genocide of Tamils", chanting or banging drums.
The RNLI said four lifeboats from London and Kent had been at the scene, supported by police and fire launches, since 1700 BST on Monday. In recent weeks, the clashes between security forces and Tamil Tigers have intensified as the security forces enter what they say is a final push to defeat the rebels and end nearly three decades of conflict.
The United Nations says more than 2,800 civilians may have been killed and 7,000 others injured in the fighting in the north-east in the last two months. The Sri Lankan government disputes these figures.
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