Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has approved a Metropolitan Police request to ban the annual Al-Quds Day march in London, citing a risk of “serious public disorder”. The decision, announced on Friday, marks the first time a protest march has been banned in the UK since 2012.
The march, organised by the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), has drawn criticism for apparent support of the Iranian regime. Some participants have previously waved flags of Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist group in the UK. The Met Police said past marches resulted in arrests for supporting terrorist organisations and antisemitic hate crimes.
Mahmood stated she was “satisfied doing so is necessary to prevent serious public disorder, due to the scale of the protest and multiple counterprotests, in the context of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East”. She added that a stationary demonstration could proceed under strict conditions, and expected “the full force of the law” to be applied to anyone spreading hatred.
The IHRC condemned the ban as “politically charged” and said it was seeking legal advice. A spokesperson said it was “a sad day for freedom of expression”. The group has previously expressed support for Iran’s late leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, describing him as “a rare role model”.
The Met Police said the decision was “purely based on a risk assessment” and that the “uniquely complex” international situation meant conditions alone would not prevent serious disorder. They will impose strict conditions on any static protest, which cannot be banned under law.
