Met Police urge pro-Palestine students to move 7 October protest
The Metropolitan Police wants organisers to reschedule a student-led pro-Palestinian march planned for the third anniversary of the 7 October attacks in Israel. Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman said the date could cause distress.
About 300 students are expected to march from King’s College London to University College London through central London. The Met has raised concerns about the route and possible effects on Jewish students and staff.
Police say the legal grounds to seek a ban are not met. A protest can be prohibited only under strict public-order conditions, with the Home Secretary’s approval; static demonstrations cannot be banned, though police can impose conditions.
The force has contacted four London universities, asking them to work with students and staff to help ensure people do not feel unsafe or targeted. Police say breaches of protest conditions will lead to arrest and that hate crime will be treated firmly.
A separate pro-Palestinian demonstration is planned for Saturday 10 October, alongside a counter-protest. Police expect no disorder but will deploy officers and set strict conditions. The article does not say whether the student march organisers will change the date.
Key points
- The Met has asked organisers to move the student march from the anniversary of the 7 October attacks.
- Around 300 students are expected to march between two central London universities.
- A separate protest and counter-protest are planned for 10 October, with police conditions in place.