Police are investigating Bob Vylan’s frontman after he allegedly repeated his Glastonbury chants of “death, death to the IDF” at a mass pro-Iran march in London.
Police made 12 arrests at the annual Al-Quds march, which was replaced by a static protest after the moving rally was cancelled by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
Bobby Vylan, frontman of the rap-punk duo Bob Vylan, led chants of “death, death to the IDF”, and told protesters “One solution, one solution. Revolution, revolution. Iran, you make us proud. Make this the final round”.
Vylan, real name Pascal Robinson-Foster, was investigated by police after he made the same chant at Glastonbury – which was broadcast on the BBC.
His words saw cross-party condemnation, with Sir Keir Starmer blasting them as “appalling hate speech”.
Responding to Sunday’s events, the Met said: “We are aware of chanting made by a speaker at the al-Quds protest and will be investigating. We recognise the concern footage and chanting like this causes, particularly with London’s Jewish communities.
“When this language had been used previously we sought advice from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which determined there would be insufficient evidence to take a case forward.”
There were 12 arrests for affray, threatening or abusive behaviour, and showing support for a proscribed organisation at the demo.
Bobby Vylan, real name Pascal Robinson-Foster, leading chants at the Al-Quds day static assembly
|
GETTY
In response, a counter-protest group led by a range of different groups, including Jewish-led Stop the Hate, and pro-Shah or anti-regime groups including the Lion Guard of Iran and the Free Iran Coalition.
Before the protests, Scotland Yard had warned anyone caught making “intifada” chants, expressing support for Palestine Action and displaying placards inciting hatred would face the law.
Police had estimated 12,000 people would join the static demonstration but “significantly fewer” people attended.
Other chants heard at the protests include “from the river to the sea”, but with the lyrics replaced with “from London to Tehran”, as well as “viva viva Palestine”, and “Hands off Iran”.
Signs supporting Gaza and pictures of late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were held by Al-Quds day protesters | GETTY
A spokesman for the CPS said it was aware of the chants made at the protest, adding “we carefully consider each case referred to us for charging decision or early advice to see whether it can be taken to court”.
The spokesman added that where evidence is insufficient, the CPS works with police to identify if more can be done to meet the threshold for a charge.
Hateful chanting or waving of offensive flags “beyond lawful protest” could constitute an offence, the spokesman added.
Around 1,000 officers were on hand to separate protesters and counter-protesters.
An Al-Quds attendee holding a picture of late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
|
GETTY
Counter-protesters waved Israeli flags and a sign which read “Hamas is terrorist”, while protesters waved Iranian flags and held pictures featuring late Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
One woman was seen being lead away by the police holding a sign which read “I still oppose genocide. I still support Palestine Action.”
The group remains banned, despite the High Court’s ruling the decision to ban the group under anti-terrorism legislation was unlawful.
Al-Quds Day – backed by Tehran – is usually held on the last Friday of Ramadan, and is said to be held in support of Palestine and in opposition to Israel.
Critics warn Al-Quds day is antisemitic, hateful, and in support of the Iranian regime.