COPS say they’ll clamp down on pro-Palestine protesters as a nation-wide “day of action” threatens to grind the UK to a halt.
British Transport Police has announced tougher new measures as with mass demos are planned in protest at the Israel-Hamas war.
The force has issued Section 14a orders prohibiting protests on Saturday at many of London‘s main rail stations.
Pro-Palestinian protest organisers have planned a national day of action tomorrow, instead of the large marches in central London which have been held on recent weekends.
The direct action is expected to involve more than 100 smaller rallies at various locations across Britain.
These include 10 in the capital in areas such as Islington, Redbridge and Tower Hamlets.
The new anti-protest orders will be in place between 10am and 11pm at Waterloo, Charing Cross, King’s Cross, London Bridge, Euston, Liverpool Street, Marylebone, Paddington, Victoria and St Pancras.
Assistant Chief Constable Sean O’Callaghan said: “We have been made aware of several planned demonstrations due to take place on Saturday November 18 across railway stations in London.
“We fully respect the rights of people to protest lawfully but where we believe this could cause serious disruption to the railway services, we must act.”
The Metropolitan Police also vowed a “significant” policing operation was planned for the capital this weekend.
Temporary Commander Karen Findlay, leading the operation, said: “Whilst there is no single large central protest event on Saturday, our policing priorities remain the same across the local events that are due to take place.
“We are here to ensure that people can exercise their right to protest but to make sure that is done lawfully, and that unreasonable disruption to the lives of other Londoners is kept to a minimum.
“Our officers will intervene swiftly where they see offences taking place.
“In particular, I want to reiterate that there is no place for hate in London. Hate crime will not be tolerated.
“Regrettably, while the majority of protesters coming out in recent weeks have been peaceful, we have continued to see people taking part in offensive chanting or intentionally carrying placards that cross the line from political statements into racially or religiously aggravated offences.”
Previous weekends have seen thousands of protesters and far-right counter-protesters converging on London.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called for a tightening of protest laws after last weekend’s violent scenes, which included far-right supporters of Tommy Robinson fighting near the Cenotaph.
Police have also admitted their “regret” after officers were accused of “standing by” as pro-Palestine activists climbed on a war memorial.
A spokeswoman for organisers Stop The War Coalition said the latest rallies would come ahead of a national demonstration planned for the following Saturday.
She said: “Tomorrow is the day of action that we’ve called for.
“Groups around the country are organising local rallies and marches to basically build for the national demonstration that has been called for next Saturday.”
She said most of the rallies would have speakers and some would still march, adding: “I think most of them have speakers from various organisations that are involved in the main marches and then trade unionists.”
Palestine Solidarity Campaign director Ben Jamal said the rallies were organised to show “ordinary people” supported a ceasefire.
He said: “This Saturday, ordinary people across the UK will come out again to show the vast majority of them support a ceasefire.
“They will show their solidarity with Palestinians who are suffering unimaginable harm.
“We demand justice for the Palestinian people – their right to self-determination and to live in freedom, safety, and with full human rights.”
Palestinian civilians have been left fleeing for their lives as Israel attempts to destroy Hamas after the terror group massacred 1,200 civilians on October 7.
Families living in Gaza have been caught in the brutal crossfire, with regular accusations the terrorists are trying to use them as “human shields”.
Much of the northern part of the strip has been turned into a devastated warzone – with ruined buildings, dwindling supplies and horrific suffering for Gaza’s people.
The Red Cross estimates some 1.5million civilians have been forced to flee south amid the Israeli onslaught from land, air and sea.
Figures for the death toll remain unverified – but Hamas’ health officials claim at least 11,000 civilians, including more than 4,500 children, have been killed.
Israel disputes these figures – and US President Joe Biden said he had “no confidence” in them.
But Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted his country has “not been successful” in reducing civilian casualties.
Yet he said the deaths must be blamed on Hamas, not Israel.
And as the horror continues there have been growing calls for a humanitarian ceasefire to stop the bloodshed.
