Pro-Palestine march organisers accuse police of disruption tactics

Protest groups planning Saturday’s national demonstration for Palestine have complained of "last-minute" restrictions imposed on them by the Metropolitan Police, which they say amount to an attack on their democratic rights.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrations attended by tens of thousands of people have taken place regularly in London since the start of the war on Gaza last October. For the first time on Saturday, however, organisers plan to march from the centre of the city to the Israeli embassy in Kensington, west London. 

But restrictions imposed on organisers this week include pushing back the start time of the protest to 2.30pm, two-and-a-half hours after the midday gathering time already advertised, and the usual start time for previous demonstrations.

Middle East Eye understands that police have also told organisers that participants could be arrested if they march before 2.30pm.

The coalition organising the protest, including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Friends of Al-Aqsa, Stop the War Coalition and the Muslim Association of Britain, condemned the move and said it was an attack on protesters' right to freedom of assembly.

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