A pro-Palestine student march in central London will take place under strict conditions imposed by police to prevent disruption. The Metropolitan Police has ordered participants to assemble at Lincoln’s Inn Fields at 12.30pm before moving to Russell Square, with the rally required to end by 2pm.
The march is expected to begin from King’s College London in Strand and conclude at University College London in Russell Square, Holborn. Organisers have been told that anyone taking part is banned from wearing a face covering that conceals their identity, and those who breach the conditions could be arrested.
Police response to concerns
The demonstration coincides with the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks in Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman said the date would be one of ‘mourning and reflection’ for many people in London and acknowledged concerns within Jewish communities.
‘This will be a day of mourning and reflection for many in London and we know the serious concerns that this event has caused Jewish communities in particular,’ he said. ‘We have imposed stringent conditions on those taking part in this march. These will help us manage the event and minimise serious disruption.’
Arrest warnings and additional protest
Harman warned: ‘Anyone who breaches these conditions or commits offences should be under no illusion they will face arrest. We have zero tolerance for hate crime and those who chant or display placards calling for intifada or encourage unlawful extremism will be arrested.’
The Met said it had received calls for the protest to be banned but that the legal threshold for doing so had not been met. A separate student protest is also planned for Marble Arch between 1pm and 4pm, with police saying conditions would be imposed requiring that demonstration to take place away from Marble Arch. Further details are due to be published.
