Don't Use ‘Jihad’ Chants: UK Police Issue Warning To Israel-Hamas Protesters
In relation to the Hizb-ut-Tahrir group's demonstration at the Egyptian Embassy, the police issued a special caution about "jihad" chants heard during the outfit's previous protest on October 21.
As another round of protests relating to the Israel-Hamas conflict hits the streets on Saturday, the Metropolitan Police in London is issuing leaflets advising demonstrators against using racist language or engaging in inciteful acts, which might lead to their detention, news agency PTI reported. In relation to the Hizb-ut-Tahrir group's scheduled static demonstration at the Egyptian Embassy in London, the police issued a special caution about "jihad" chants heard during the outfit's previous protest on October 21.
“There was considerable debate about the use of the word ‘jihad’… It is a word that clearly causes upset and concern, but it’s always contextual. If we think people are chanting this to incite violence, terrorism or antisemitism – we will act decisively and quickly,” the Met Police statement was quoted by PTI in its report.
Organisers anticipate 100,000 protesters in London on Saturday, with up to 50,000 expected to march against antisemitism on Sunday. The Met Police said more than 1,500 officers, including 500 from outside London, will be on duty this weekend, adding that there will be "robust intervention" against any illegal acts.
“The conflict in the Middle East is continuing and here in London we are still seeing the cumulative impact of continued protest, increasing tensions, and rising hate crime,” said Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, who will spearhead the Met’s policing operation this weekend.
“That fear and anxiety is particularly felt by our Jewish and Muslim communities. We know a lot more about the cumulative impact of these protests than we did seven weeks ago and that is reflected in our approach,” he said.
He stated that the public would receive further notification throughout the weekend, both online and in the form of pamphlets that cops will distribute to demonstrators along the march route.
“As you would expect, this sets out that anyone who is racist or incites hatred against any group should expect to be arrested. As should anyone who supports Hamas or any other banned organisation. We will not tolerate anyone who celebrates or promotes acts of terrorism – such as the killing or kidnap of innocent people – or who spreads hate speech,” said Adelekan.
The police department stated that it has been "working positively" with organisers, including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), and that they would have more stewards who have agreed with the police to be explicit in their messages about how supporters must behave.
“The Met supports the right for people to make their voices heard through protest providing it is done lawfully. However, the law also protects people from racist and religious abuse and prohibits the promotion of terrorism. While the majority of protesters have complied with these rules, a minority have crossed the line,” added Adelekan.
The Met Police asked demonstrators that if they see activity that crosses the line into crime, they should dispute it or report it immediately to one of the police present so that they can "act quickly."
According to the weekend policing preparations, trained spotters will be stationed at key spots along the march, checking for illegal activities, such as hate banners and attire, and identifying individuals guilty. They will also use technology to detect and track perpetrators inside big groups of individuals, as well as deploy intervention teams when suspects must be extracted.
The use of retroactive face recognition will allow authorities to compare a picture captured on CCTV or other film to a large database of detention photographs. It can be utilised as part of a criminal investigation after an occurrence or incident to speed up the identification and removal of suspects.
As with past protests, the marches will have precise scheduling and boundary constraints, and police officers on duty will be "using all the legal powers at our disposal" to guarantee dispersion at the end of the march to avoid breakaway groups that create major disruption, terror, and intimidation.
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