Saturday's Pro-Palestinian March: Can It Really Be Banned?

2023-11-07 14:05:35

Is It Actually Possible For Saturday's Pro-Palestinian March To Be Banned?

The pro-Palestinian demonstration scheduled for this Saturday has faced significant backlash and warnings from the government and police. But is there a possibility that the march could be banned?

Heartbreaking Tragedy Unveiled: The Solemn Image of Eight-Year-Old Victim from Wimbledon School Incident

What is the march for?

The march, organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, is calling for a ceasefire in war-torn Israel. It is planned to start from Hyde Park and end at the US Embassy.

Palestinian militants, Hamas, launched an attack on October 7, killing 1,400 people and taking more than 240 hostages. In response, Tel Aviv declared war and initiated air strikes on Hamas-run Gaza.

Trump's Iowa Rally Fail Plunges Twitter into a Hysterical Frenzy

The conflict has resulted in thousands of Palestinian deaths and has led to a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid access to Gaza are gaining momentum.

Demonstrations in support of Palestine and a ceasefire have been taking place worldwide since the start of the conflict a year ago.

Rudy Giuliani's Shocking Fate: An Unexpected D.C. Recommendation

Why is this particular protest controversial?

This protest is stirring controversy due to its timing during Armistice Day weekend. The government has discouraged the demonstration, arguing that it would be disrespectful to hold it on November 11.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has criticized some of the protest chants, branding them as antisemitic. More than 70,000 people are expected to attend the demonstration in central London.

Is Jennifer Garner Bringing Elektra to Life Once More in Deadpool 3?

How have the protesters responded to the backlash?

Protesters have promised to avoid the Whitehall area and have pointed out that the protest is scheduled to start after the traditional two-minute silence for war dead. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign has criticized the Metropolitan Police's statement, stating that the police did not tell them it was inappropriate to protest this week.

Who has the power to stop the march?

Legally, a march can be banned under Section 13 of the Public Order Act 1986 if there is a risk of serious public disorder, criminal damage, or disruption to the community. The Metropolitan Police must prove the risk of disorder before seeking approval from the home secretary to enforce a ban.

Discover: 5 Unexpected Causes Behind Your Missed Period (And They're Not Pregnancy!)

The Police Crime and Sentencing Act 2022 provides another route for officers to clamp down on protests. More than 100 people have already been arrested since the protests began.

But, how likely is a ban?

The government does not have the authority to force a ban as it is dependent on the Metropolitan Police's operational independence. Home Secretary Braverman has stated that she does not want to undermine the policing process.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has not made any promises to stop the march, but the police are committed to ensuring that remembrance events take place without disruption.

Even if an official ban were issued, it would not necessarily prevent groups from informally gathering. The Metropolitan Police is already planning a significant deployment of officers for Saturday's demonstration.

If you would like to know other articles similar to Saturday's Pro-Palestinian March: Can It Really Be Banned? updated this year 2024 you can visit the category UK News.