UK police urge cancellation of Palestine protest after Manchester attack

"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."

"The Metropolitan Police also wrote to the group overnight, raising concerns about the amount of police resources the protest would divert at a time when visible reassurance and protective security is needed in communities across London. But Defend Our Juries, which has led demonstrations in support of proscribed group Palestine Action, said it planned to go ahead with the march. The group also responded to the Met's post on X: Don't arrest us then We are peacefully protesting against UK complicity in genocide. Deal with actual terrorism. Don't arrest us then We are causing no obstruction."

The Metropolitan Police urged Defend Our Juries to delay or cancel a planned Saturday demonstration in Trafalgar Square, citing the recent horrific terrorist attack in Manchester and the need to deploy officers for community safety. The Met said a gathering of more than 1,000 people in support of a terrorist organisation would draw resources away from visible reassurance and protective security. The Met also wrote to the group raising concerns about policing resources. Defend Our Juries, which has led demonstrations supporting Palestine Action, said it would go ahead and posted on X that it is peacefully protesting UK complicity in genocide and causing no obstruction.

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