Police warn Pro-Palestine march organisers to stay away from synagogue
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The Metropolitan Police have told the organisers of an upcoming pro-Palestine march to stay away from a synagogue. Protesters targeting the BBC were planning to gather outside Broadcasting House in Portland Place on Saturday January 18, before marching through central London.
But Scotland Yard has told the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) to alter its plans to avoid “serious disruption” to the congregation of a nearby synagogue – and threatened to impose Public Order Act conditions to stop the rally. The Met said it had “reflected on the views of local community and business representatives, including those of the congregation at a synagogue” before coming to the decision.
Holding the march on a Saturday – the Jewish holy day – when congregants will be attending Shabbat services, was also a factor, police said. Responding to the demand, the PSC said it “utterly condemned” the use of “repressive powers”. “The route for the march was confirmed with the police nearly two months ago and as agreed with them, was publicly announced on November 30,” the group said.
“With just over a week to go, the Metropolitan Police has now reneged on our agreement and stated its intention to prevent our protest from going ahead as planned. “In fact, the closest synagogue to the BBC is not even on the route of the march. “Moreover, as the Met Police have acknowledged, there has not been a single incident of any threat to a synagogue attached to any of the marches.”.
