London Police Urges Pro-Palestine Protests to Postpone During Armistice Weekend, Citing Rising Anti-Semitic Activities
London, UK – The London Metropolitan Police has called on pro-Palestine protestors to postpone their demonstrations in London during the Armistice Weekend due to escalating anti-Semitic activities following the attacks in Israel on October 7.
The police posted a message on social media, stating, We ask organizers to consider postponing any demonstrations in #London this #ArmisticeWeekend. The authorities expressed concerns about criminal acts committed by breakaway groups attracted to these events, despite the efforts made by organizers to support peaceful and lawful protests since October 7.
Senior officers held a meeting with various organizers on Monday to discuss their concerns. However, the organizers declined to postpone the demonstrations.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan declared, The risk of violence and disorder linked to breakaway groups is growing, emphasizing concerns ahead of a significant and busy weekend in the capital. Adelekan appealed to organizers, urging them to reconsider their plans and stating that holding protests in London during this weekend would be inappropriate.
Since October 7, more than 160 individuals have been arrested for a range of offenses, including racially motivated public offenses, violence, and assaulting police officers, revealed the Metropolitan Police.
Prior to this, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak voiced objections to the protests on Armistice Day, warning of a clear and present risk of desecration of the Cenotaph and other war memorials. Sunak described planning protests on such a day as provocative and disrespectful, asserting that the right to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice should be protected.
In response to these concerns, the Met Police highlighted an escalation in violence and disorder associated with protests, often carried out by breakaway groups with no genuine interest in the causes they demonstrate for.
The police also reported a significant rise in hate crimes, including an arrest on Saturday of an individual suspected of making anti-Semitic comments using public address equipment.
Between October 1 and November 1, there were over 554 reports of anti-Semitic offenses and 220 Islamophobic offenses, demonstrating the alarming increase in prejudiced incidents.
As tensions persist, the police continue to urge demonstrators to reconsider their plans, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace and upholding the sanctity of Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.
In a turbulent time, balancing free expression with public safety remains a challenge for authorities, who must address rising intolerance while preserving the right to peaceful protest.
