Protestsupdated 1h ago3 min read
Metropolitan Police Impose Strict Conditions On Pro-Palestine Student March In London
Pro-Palestine march must assemble 1130GMT and finish by 1300GMT. Police cannot ban it but urged moving date for Oct 7 anniversary.
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Met sets march rules
The Metropolitan Police imposed strict conditions on a pro-Palestine student march in London, directing the University of London Coalition to assemble at Lincoln’s Inn Fields at 12.30 pm local time (1130GMT) before proceeding to Russell Square. Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman said police could not ban the protest unless the risk of serious disorder was so high that it could not be managed through conditions, adding, “That high bar is not met here.” The Met required participants to complete the rally in Russell Square by 2 pm local time (1300GMT), when protesters would be required to disperse.
“Participants will also be prohibited from wearing face coverings that conceal their identity.”
The Met also prohibited participants from wearing face coverings that conceal their identity and warned that anyone breaching the conditions could be arrested. A separate student protest planned near Marble Arch was also subject to conditions, with the Met saying organisers would be required to move away from the area because of concerns people would be attending nearby synagogues on the anniversary.
Arrests and clashes
Demonstrators clashed and police made 11 arrests during protests in London on the anniversary of the October 7 attacks on Israel, with five arrests for inciting racial hatred outside the Board of Deputies in Camden. The Metropolitan Police said the other arrests were made at student pro-Palestinian protests elsewhere in the capital, and protesters and counter protesters clashed as demonstrations took place in central London. Around 100 pro-Palestine protesters marched from Lincoln’s Inn to Russell Square and chanted “free free Palestine” and “free the people, free the land,” while a group at the back held a banner reading: “Holocaust survivor descendants against Gaza genocide”.
The Metropolitan Police said officers engaged with protesters to inform them of an order under Section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act requiring them to remove face coverings, and it said officers made one arrest under Section 60AA for failing to remove a face covering when required by an officer. The Met also said it would take a “zero-tolerance approach to any hate crime offences directed towards the vigil,” while officers remained on the ground to support the Board of Deputies vigil in Richmond Terrace.
Legal limits and pressure
The Metropolitan Police urged students planning a pro-Palestinian march to reconsider holding the demonstration on October 7, the third anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel, and the force said it had been unable to identify an individual willing to accept responsibility as organiser. Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman said, “I would like to take this opportunity – again – to call on anyone intending to join this march to please reflect on the impact and distress it will cause on this very significant date, and exercise your right to protest on a different day.” The Met said the march could not automatically be banned simply because organisers had not identified themselves, and it pointed to the Public Order Act requirement that organisers provide their name and address to police.
The Met also confirmed it had imposed conditions on the demonstration, requiring participants to assemble at Lincoln’s Inn Fields by 12:30pm, follow a prescribed route to Russell Square, and disperse after the rally ended by 2pm. The Met said it would take firm action against antisemitism, anti-Muslim abuse, incitement to violence, and expressions that clearly indicate support for terrorist or proscribed organisations, while it prepared for several demonstrations and events in London during the week with hundreds of officers expected to be deployed.