Police to use Thames to separate protesters at Al Quds protest
Police to use Thames to separate protesters at Al Quds protest
The Metropolitan Police will deploy the River Thames as a physical barrier to divide demonstrators from opposing groups during the Al Quds Day rally in central London on Sunday.
A planned demonstration toward the Home Office was suspended earlier this week following approval from Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. The decision to halt the march was made to mitigate potential serious public disorder.
Officers cited the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) as being “supportive of the Iranian regime” in their request for the ban. This marks the first instance in 14 years where the Met has restricted a protest march.
Despite the cancellation of the march, the IHRC announced a “static” protest will proceed, framing it as a peaceful, pro-Palestinian gathering. The group contested the ban, calling it a “politically charged decision.”
Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan revealed in a Thursday briefing that the use of the Thames as a buffer between opposing groups is a “new bespoke tactic” tailored to address the “unique set of circumstances” posed by the Al Quds event.
The Met anticipates at least 6,000 attendees at the Al Quds protest, with an additional 6,000 counter-protesters expected. However, officials warned of “significantly more” participants due to heightened tensions in the Middle East.
Protesters will gather south of the River Thames on Albert Embankment, while counter-protesters are to be confined within Millbank. Lambeth and Vauxhall Bridges will be closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles.
Over 1,000 officers, including community policing units and other forces, will oversee the event. Enhanced security will also be implemented at other “vulnerable places” in London, particularly areas with significant Jewish communities.
Officers on the ground will be instructed to “act decisively,” including managing placards, flags, and chants, according to Adelekan. A “zero tolerance approach” to hate crime has been confirmed, with arrests possible for those endorsing proscribed organizations.
Adelekan acknowledged that the ban and policing measures “doesn’t completely remove risk of disorder,” but assert that they will “immeasurably ease” the task of managing the protest.
When requesting the ban, the Met highlighted factors such as the rally’s historical context, community tensions, and an “intelligence gap” in its decision-making process.
Al Quds Day originated after the 1979 Iranian Revolution and is traditionally observed on the final Friday of Ramadan. The day is celebrated globally with marches, and the IHRC describes it as a demonstration of solidarity with Palestine.
