The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, has commented on the planned pro-Palestinian march due to take place on Armistice Day in central London. In a statement, Rowley explained that the event would only be banned as a “last resort”, outlining that all options for protecting remembrance activities and Jewish communities would be exhausted before a ban is implemented. Although UK law prohibits police from banning static protests, they can request the power to halt a march if significant disorder is predicted. If intelligence evolves to the stage that the police determine that a high threshold has been reached, the commissioner will speak to the home secretary. However, Rowley added that this step has only been taken once in the last 10 years and is a last resort if no other measures are feasible.
On Monday, the Metropolitan Police publicly urged organisers to postpone the March of Return event, due to take place on 11 November, after both Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Home Secretary Suella Braverman criticised the march’s timing. Thousands of protesters are expected to attend, risking overshadowing respectful remembrance activities taking place to mark the occasion. Remembrance Sunday also coincides with a national two minute silence and other commemorative events. Despite pressure from politicians and the police, event organisers have refused to postpone, noting that planned routes will not go past the Cenotaph war memorial and the march will begin after the two minutes of silence.
Although previous protests have led to arrests, Rowley stated that none constituted significant disorder. However, he is concerned about the potential for splinter groups to break away from the main protest, posing an escalating risk of disorder. Additional security will be in place to safeguard critical events and Jewish communities, and the Metropolitan Police is monitoring escalating threats posed by these events, including this particular protest. Protective measures have been put in place to ensure that those attending remembrance events on Armistice Day are able to do so without disruption
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