The Metropolitan Police has warned protestors taking part in a pro-Palestinian march in central London on Friday they must not “cross the line into criminality”. The Al Quds Day demonstration will see campaigners assemble outside the Home Office in Marsham Street at 3pm and march towards Downing Street.
The annual rally – organised by the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) in support of Palestine – has been criticised in the past after participants flew flags of the Lebanese militant Hezbollah group and brandished signs with allegedly antisemitic messages.
The Met said while its powers “do not extend to policing taste and decency”, it would take action if the “line into criminality is crossed”, including the use of hate speech or supporting a proscribed group.
At the same time, a pro-Israel counter-protest is being held in Parliament Square. The pro-Palestinian march will pass by en route to Whitehall. The demonstrations come on the same day new public order powers to prevent “serious disruption” at protests come into force.
Serious Disruption Prevention Orders are court orders that can impose restraints on individuals who have committed protest-related offences on at least two occasions, potentially banning them from being in certain areas or being with protest groups at given times.
Commander Colin Wingrove, who is leading the policing operation on Friday, said: “The rights of people to express their views through protest must be protected, and our officers will ensure they are, but anyone who abuses those rights and uses them as an opportunity to commit offences or to promote hate can expect to face police action.”
THIS IS A LIVE BLOG. SCROLL DOWN FOR THE LATEST UPDATES.
