Met Police urge students to move 7 October protest
The Metropolitan Police have requested that organizers move a pro-Palestinian student march scheduled for the anniversary of the 7 October attacks on Israel. Authorities cited concerns over public distress and the potential for antisemitic incidents, though they acknowledged the right to protest.
Why it matters
The request underscores the tension between protecting the right to protest and maintaining public order during sensitive commemorative dates.
Image caption, Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman says the march will cause distress if held on the anniversary of the attacks on Israel
The Metropolitan Police is calling on the organisers of a pro-Palestinian student march planned to take place on the third anniversary of the 7 October attacks on Israel to move the event.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman said the force had been unable to identify the organisers behind the group, which calls itself the University of London Coalition.
He said that while the march did not meet the strict legal threshold at which police could request the home secretary to ban a protest, many Londoners would be marking "a day of mourning" with vigils to remember those who died.
The BBC has contacted the group for comment via social media accounts they appear to be associated with.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in