Robinson’s supporters will be gathering for the “Unite the Kingdom” rally.
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Any person participating in the Unite the Kingdom protest must remain in the area shaded on the map below (Kingsway) until the procession begins along the prescribed route (Image: Metropolitan Police)[Missing Credit]
A similar event last year saw widespread disorder and arrests.
In a candid press briefing, Harman said the Met policing plan “provides us with the most assertive grip on the movement of large groups and the potential for disorder and other criminality that arises as a result”.
Looking back to previous pro-Palestinian protests, he said: “While many come with good intention and no desire to commit offences or spread hate, many others do not.
“We have routinely seen arrests for racially and religiously aggravated public order, for stirring up racial hatred and for supporting terrorist organisations.
“It is not normal to see criminality of this nature or on this scale at what are billed as peaceful protests.”
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Anyone participating in the Unite the Kingdom march must not deviate from the route shown on the map below which is Kingsway, Aldwych, Strand, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, Parliament Square (Image: Metropolitan Police)[Missing Credit]
Harman acknowledged there are “fears in Jewish communities”, and that many Jewish Londoners “feel intimidate and afraid of these protests”.
Out of 33 PSC-led rallies which have taken place since October 7, 21 have had to have police intervention in the form of restriction orders due to fears of the Jewish community.
Turning to the United the Kingdom protest, Harman spoke of “increased concerns” in Muslim communities, who have been left “feeling scared’ by previous demonstrations by supporters of Tommy Robinson, as Stephen Yaxley Lennon is known.
Harman continued: “For the first time we’ve also imposed conditions relating to the speakers at these protests. These conditions make the organisers responsible for ensuring speakers they invite don’t break the law by using these events as a platform for unlawful extremism or hate speech.
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Any person participating in the Nakba 78/United Against Tommy Robinson and the Far Right protest must remain in the shaded area on the map below (Exhibition Road) until the procession begins along the prescribed route (Image: Metropolitan Police)[Missing Credit]
"Both the speakers and the organisers will face consequences if that happens.”
The Nakba Day march which will start at 1pm in Green Park and end in Pall Mall where speakers will address the crowd,
The Unite the Kingdom march which will start in Kingsway - also at 1pm - before marching to end up in Whitehall, the other side of St James’ Park from where the Nakba Day protesters will be gathered.
The FA cup final will begin at 3pm.
Out of the 4,000 officers who will be on the streets, 660 have had to be brought in from other parts of the country.
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Anyone participating in the Nakba 78/United Against Tommy Robinson and the Far Right march must not deviate from the route shown on the map below which is Exhibition Road, Cromwell Gardens, Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, Piccadilly, Pall Mall (Image: Metropolitan Police)[Missing Credit]
Harman said: “Our plan involves the most assertive possible use of our powers including strict conditions. Thousands of officers will be deployed, taking a zero-tolerance approach supported by specialist resources including live facial recognition, helicopters, drones, dog units, police horses, armoured vehicles and dedicated investigative teams.
“The scale of the operation is unprecedented in recent years. The planning for it has been ongoing for months.”
