The Metropolitan Police have urged organisers to cancel or delay a planned Palestine protest after the Manchester synagogue attack.
The force said yesterday’s incident at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall had sparked “significant fear and concern” within communities.
It urged organisers Defend Our Juries to reconsider a protest due to be held in Trafalgar Square, London, tomorrow.
The demonstration, due to be attended by at least 1,500 people, is being held in opposition to Palestine Action being proscribed by the Government.
Pro-Palestine activists were told to converge on 19 locations around the UK yesterday evening
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REUTERS
The designation as a terror group means that membership of, or support for, the direct action group is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
The Met Police said in a statement: “The horrific terrorist attack that took place in Manchester yesterday will have caused significant fear and concern in communities across the UK, including here in London.
“Yet at a time when we want to be deploying every available officer to ensure the safety of those communities, we are instead having to plan for a gathering of more than 1,000 people in Trafalgar Square on Saturday in support of a terrorist organisation.
“By choosing to encourage mass law breaking on this scale, Defend Our Juries are drawing resources away from the communities of London at a time when they are needed most.
“We urge them to do the responsible thing and delay or cancel their plans.”
A group of pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested after clashing with Met Police officers in London yesterday evening, with some chanting “death to the IDF” just hours after the attack at the Manchester synagogue.
Video footage obtained by GB News’ contributor Jack Hadfield shows police clashing with protesters in Whitehall after they gathered in solidarity with the members of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of around 40 boats carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Pro-Palestine activists were told to converge on 19 locations around the UK between 5.30pm and 6pm, including in central London and Manchester Piccadilly station.
The Met Police confirmed 40 people have been arrested, six of those being for assault on police officers, while the majority were for breaching conditions.
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