A pro-Palestine protest group has vowed to proceed with a demonstration in central London despite calls from police and the Home Secretary to delay or cancel. Defend Our Juries has organised the protest for Saturday in Trafalgar Square, claiming "cancelling peaceful protests lets terror win".
The Metropolitan Police raised concerns about diverting resources at a time when "visible reassurance and protective security" is needed across London communities. This comes following Thursday's terrorist attack on Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester, which has heightened security concerns nationwide.
Protest organisers stand firm
Around 1,500 people are expected to attend the demonstration, "including priests, vicars, pensioners and healthcare workers". Defend Our Juries, which has led previous demonstrations against the terrorist ban on Palestine Action, insists the march will proceed as planned.
A spokesman for the group said their thoughts were with those who lost loved ones in the Manchester attack. However, they argued that postponing the action would risk conflating Israeli state actions with Jewish people worldwide, potentially fueling antisemitic hatred.
Police warning and arrests
Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley warned that the force would call in support from across the UK if necessary to arrest those breaking the law. The Met stated it would ensure officers can arrest all those supporting Palestine Action, which is a proscribed terrorist organisation.
Previous demonstrations have resulted in significant arrests, with 1,422 people detained across two events. The majority were arrested for supporting a proscribed organisation, according to police figures.
Government criticism
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed disappointment with the timing of the protest. Speaking to LBC, she said organisers "don't do their cause any favours by behaving in this way" and called such behaviour "fundamentally un-British" and "dishonourable".
Mahmood was also critical of Thursday night protests following the Manchester attack. Some 40 people were arrested during a large demonstration outside Downing Street, with six arrests for assaults on police officers.
Enhanced security measures
Police announced additional security deployments across London, including specialist Project Servator officers trained to spot potential criminal or terrorist activity. Armed police officers will be readily deployable across the capital throughout the weekend.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism announced plans for a counter-demonstration outside Downing Street next Thursday. The group said "the time for dialogue, platitudes, and lip service has passed" and demanded action rather than "empty words".
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
