politics
Metropolitan Police Prepares for Two Large London Demonstrations This Weekend
Officers will patrol Nakba Day and Unite the Kingdom events expected to draw 80000 people amid heightened international tensions and a severe terror threat level. Specific antisemitic chants have been banned and routes altered to avoid synagogues. Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman said the force would adopt the most assertive possible use of its powers.
May 13, 4:07 PM·1m read1 source
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The Metropolitan Police will deploy 4000 officers across Central London this weekend for two major demonstrations expected to bring up to 80000 people onto the streets. A Nakba Day march is anticipated to attract around 30000 participants while a Unite the Kingdom demonstration could see 50000 Britons attend. Senior commanders have described the operation as unprecedented in recent years.
Officers on horseback, dog units and specialist public order teams will patrol the demonstration routes. Armoured vehicles will stand ready should violence erupt. Live facial recognition technology will be deployed throughout the operation.
The Nakba Day demonstration will assemble at Exhibition Road before proceeding via Waterloo Road towards Piccadilly and Pall Mall. The Unite the Kingdom protest is restricted to the Whitehall and Parliament Square vicinity. Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman emphasised both groups must strictly adhere to their designated paths while observing the agreed start and finish times.
He added that any proposed alterations increasing the likelihood of confrontations between the two groups would be rejected. Both events take place amid serious international tensions and a severe terror threat level. The force has received intelligence indicating a potential threat to public safety from individuals planning to attend the events.
Harman acknowledged that many protesters arrive with peaceful intentions while others do not. He noted there are regular arrests at previous events. Of the 33 recent Palestinian demonstrations, 21 had their routes modified after organisers initially sought to begin or end near synagogues.
