Met Police Issues Stern Warnings Ahead of Pro-Palestine March on Anniversary of Hamas Attacks
Demonstrators face arrest for breaching conditions including wearing face coverings, deviating from the route, or failing to disperse by 2 PM.
The Metropolitan Police have issued stringent warnings to students participating in a pro-Palestine march scheduled for October 7, stating that individuals will face arrest if they violate new conditions. The march is planned to commence from King's College London and conclude at University College London.
New regulations imposed by the police require participants to assemble in a designated area, Lincoln's Inn Fields, by 12:30 PM. They must follow a specific route to Russell Square, and the demonstration must end by 2 PM, at which point all protesters are expected to disperse. A key condition prohibits the wearing of face coverings that conceal identity, with the police explicitly warning that any breach of these conditions will result in arrest.
These measures come amid calls for a complete ban on the protest, with law enforcement vowing a 'robust' stance on what is described as a 'day of mourning and a day of reflection.' The demonstration, advertised on social media by student activists under the banner of demanding an end to the 'Palestinian genocide,' coincides with the third anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 civilians and the taking of 251 hostages.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman, responsible for public order policing, highlighted the sensitive timing of the event, acknowledging the profound distress it may cause, particularly to Jewish communities. He emphasized that the imposed conditions are designed to manage the event and minimize serious disruption. "Anyone who breaches these conditions or commits offences should be under no illusion they will face arrest," Harman stated, adding that there is "zero tolerance for hate crime" and that chants or placards calling for an intifada or encouraging unlawful extremism will lead to arrest.
Harman had previously urged the estimated 300 students planning to march to consider the impact and distress their protest might cause on this significant date and to choose a different day. The march plans have also drawn condemnation from Jewish organizations and senior politicians. The police noted that this demonstration, along with another planned pro-Palestinian protest for October 10 and potential disruptions related to an upcoming by-election, could exacerbate tensions in London.
The Metropolitan Police are actively working with universities and other entities to identify the organizers of the event, advertised by the University of London Coalition. Harman clarified that while police cannot ban protests, they can request the Home Secretary to do so only if the risk of serious disorder is unmanageable. He stated that this threshold has not been met in this instance.
Regarding legal challenges to the protest, Harman addressed concerns about Section 11 of the Public Order Act, which requires organizers to provide their name and address to the police. He confirmed that while the organizing groups have been identified through social media, no specific individual has yet claimed responsibility. Failure by an organizer to identify themselves does not automatically meet the legal criteria for banning a procession, though it could lead to offenses once organizers are identified. Harman reiterated his call for participants to reflect on the potential distress caused and to consider protesting on an alternative date.
Education Secretary Lucy Powell previously commented that the focus on October 7 should be solely on mourning the victims of the Hamas attack.