Police ease restrictions on London pro-Palestine march following row with organisers

From the London Evening Standard

I mentioned this on Wednesday. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign were very put out at having the start of their march this afternoon delayed as policing is stretched by two other events in London this afternoon. 

The Met has lifted some restrictions on a pro-Palestine march in central London after a row with organisers who argued they were being treated unfairly.

Police had limited the time and location of the protest on Saturday but have given way on some issues following the cancellation of another march which Scotland Yard said would ease pressure on them.

The “End the Genocide – Stop Arming Israel” march, starting in Regent Street and ending in Kensington Road, was initially ordered by police not to begin before 2.30pm. They said it must conclude by 6pm or 30 minutes after the conclusion of speeches, whichever is earlier.

The restriction had riled march organisers who claimed the limit would severely affect the impact of the rally.

The Met on Friday said that it would loosen the restrictions as another event had been cancelled.

The march can now set off at 1.30pm after assembling from noon and end by 5.30pm or the conclusion of speeches at the end of the protest, whichever is earlier. There will also be more freedom of movement than under the previous police rules.

There is absolutely no chance that the cancelled event is Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s Black on the Square, another celebration of Black Culture, music, food and dance. Two weeks after the Notting Hill  Carnival Carnage! So it must be the Pro-Life group who are having a day long conference in a conference centre opposite Westminster Abbey which they intended to conclude with open air prayer on Parliament Square. Despite their name March4life, this was hardly likely to be a march over that short distance, more a 5 minute process or stroll.  But there you have it; the Metropolitan Police and their Two-Tier policing, yet again. 

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said after the change of plan: “The risk-assessment process in relation to planned events is dynamic and takes into account the constantly changing picture across London. Conditions were imposed to mitigate concerns from communities, including in relation to a specific event which would have clashed with the intended route of the march.

“The last-minute decision to cancel one of the other pre-planned events means we have reviewed the conditions imposed on the march – this in line with our legal obligation to balance the lawful right to protest and the risk of serious disruption to the wider community.”

A statement from the protesters described the Met’s revamped plan as a “great victory” and labelled the Met’s handling of the event a “debacle”.

I wonder how much pressure was put on the Pro-life group? They are not exactly known for their muscular violence. Silent prayer (prayer is powerful I know) is their limit. 

Update – March4life are praying in Parliament Square as I write
and a funky steel band are playing for Black on the Square

Either i) a 4th, hitherto unknown march was cancelled, ii) March4life, led by vicars defied the police and renaged on their promise to the police, or iii) the police told a little porkie pie to save face. My money is on No iii.