Aysu Biçer
14 October 2023•Update: 14 October 2023
LONDON
Metropolitan Police issued a warning Friday to participants of a pro-Palestinian demonstration set to take place in central London on Saturday not to deviate from the route.
Police announced via X, that a notice has been authorized, granting police the authority to take action against any individuals who deviate from the designated route.
"Any person participating in or associated with the 'Palestine Solidarity Campaign' protest must not deviate from the route below or they may be subject to arrest."
Police also cautioned that displaying a proscribed flag in support of Hamas or other proscribed organizations will be considered an offense.
Thousands are expected to gather in solidarity with Palestine and demand Israel end its occupation of Palestinian territories amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
More than 1,000 police officers will be deployed to ensure safety and orderly conduct at the demonstration.
UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman issued a warning to police chiefs Tuesday regarding the display of Palestinian flags on British streets.
She suggested that waving the flag "may not be legitimate" if it is seen as a show of support for terrorism.
Braverman said although there are valid reasons for expressing solidarity with Palestinians, certain actions go beyond the boundaries set by the Terrorism Act and the Public Order Act.
She provided examples of protest actions she believes could potentially constitute public order offenses, including targeting Jewish neighborhoods, waving pro-Palestinian or pro-Hamas symbols and chanting slogans that could be interpreted as anti-Israeli.
