Met Police issues major threat to pro-Palestinian protesters ahead of planned march
The Metropolitan Police have issued a major threat to pro-Palestinian protesters ahead of a planned demonstration beginning at the BBC headquarters.
The force informed the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) that their march could cause disruption to a nearby synagogue, and strongly advised the group to rearrange their demonstration.
If they fail to do so, then the Met said they will consider the use of the Public Order Act conditions “as appropriate”.
The planned action is due to take place on January 18, beginning at the broadcaster’s headquarters at Portland Place and marching into London. The group aims to protest against the BBC’s “pro-Israel bias of its coverage”.
According to PSC, the demonstration was confirmed over two months ago with the police, and they publicly announced it on November 30.
Reacting to the Met’s threat of using the Public Order Act if the march goes ahead, the PSC said: “We utterly condemn this attempt to use repressive powers to prevent our planned protest at the BBC.”
The Met wrote to the group to halt the march, and has said it is “hopeful” that they will act accordingly “in light of our position”.
Explaining their reasoning, a Met Police spokesman said: “The role of the police is to ensure that groups can protest lawfully, while also balancing the rights of those in the wider community to go about their lives without serious disruption.
MORE LIKE THIS:
- ‘Two-tier justice?’ Grandmother jailed over online post denied parole as Southport rioters walk free
- Russian spy ring ‘met with Just Stop Oil’ as they plotted fake attack on London embassy
- ‘Utterly offensive!’ Anti-Israel protesters unveil ‘genocide’ banner outside Parliament
“We have carefully considered the likely impact of the PSC’s plans. As part of those considerations we have reflected on the views of local community and business representatives, including those of the congregation at a synagogue located a very short distance from the proposed ‘form up’ point in Portland Place.”
The Met said that “serious disruption” could be caused by hosting a protest in such close proximity to a synagogue, especially on Saturday – the Jewish holy day.
“In reaching this view we have taken into account the cumulative impact of this prolonged period of protest, often taking place on Saturdays and on numerous occasions in the vicinity of synagogues. We know this has been a cause of increased concern for many Jewish Londoners who have altered their plans, avoided parts of central London and reduced attendance at religious services.
“We are hopeful that the PSC will now alter their plans in light of our position, but should they wish to continue to use Portland Place as a form up point we will consider the use of Public Order Act conditions as appropriate.”
The PSC has called on the force to abandon their plans to prevent the protest, and urged their supporters to attend the march.
The group countered the Met’s claim that they would pass a synagogue, stating: “The closest synagogue to the BBC is not even on the route of the march.
The statement continued: “Moreover, as the Met Police have acknowledged, there has not been a single incident of any threat to a synagogue attached to any of the marches.
“Any suggestion that our marches are somehow hostile to Jewish people ignores the fact that every march has been joined by thousands of Jewish people – many in an organised Jewish bloc – and addressed by Jewish speakers on the demonstration platforms.”