UK
Southend councillor calls on police to stop Palestine protest through city’s Jewish area
Labour councillor Daniel Cowan called the march an ‘antagonistic stunt’
August 22, 2025 11:32
Labour councillor Daniel Cowan called the march an ‘antagonistic stunt’
August 22, 2025 11:32The leader of Southend Council is calling on Essex Police to block a pro-Palestine protest from taking place in the city, calling it an “antagonistic stunt”.
In a strongly worded statement, Labour leader of the council, Daniel Cowan, said: “I cherish the right to peaceful protest but I will not condone an event that uses hideous, racist language to describe our city.
“Southend is being targeted because we have a large Jewish population. I have urged Essex Police to use every power they possess to prevent racism and intimidation from being legitimised on our streets.”
Responding to Cowan’s statement, a spokesperson for Essex Police said: "We are aware of a planned gathering in the Westcliff and Southend area which is due to take place on Saturday 30 August.
"Although we are yet to receive a formal notification from organisers, we speak every week with our communities and local people, and we fully understand the concerns which have been raised.
"This directly informs our policing plans - we are listening, and we will make sure we put local people first."
This will be the second pro-Palestine march to take place in Southend this year, following one in April during Passover. “The last demo saw Jewish families harassed on Shabbat as they left their places of worship or simply went about their day. Mothers and children were intimidated and abused. This was allowed to happen despite my protestations, and those of others, about the route. This cannot be allowed to happen again,” Cowen said.
A WhatsApp message seen by the JC referred to Southend as a “horrific zionist area” adding: “if uou [sic] came to the last demo, you will have already witnessed this.”
Rabbi Akiva Usher Padwa of Miluim Lephode told the JC after the April protest: “There were quite a few people in the community who were so intimidated that they decided to go to their parents’ in London for the weekend, to get away completely.”
According to the 2021 census, there are just over 2,000 Jewish residents in Southend, many of whom are strictly Orthodox. Like April’s protest, this one is scheduled to go through Westcliffe, which is the heart of Southend’s Jewish community and home to three of the city’s four synagogues (the other being just minutes away, in Chalkwell).
Russell Langer, Director of Public Affairs at the Jewish Leadership Council said: “It is clear that Westcliff-on-Sea has been targeted because it is home to a small yet significant strictly Orthodox community.
"The demonstration that occurred in April during Passover was shocking, as protestors were seen shouting slurs at members of this community as they passed by on their way home from synagogue.
“We have made clear to Essex Police that they must act to prevent the planned protest on Saturday 30th August to ensure the Jewish community of Westcliff-on-Sea are not subjected to this hatred again.
"The right to protest must never come at the expense of the Jewish community's right to practice our religion without fear and intimidation.”
Concluding his statement, Cowan said: “It is not acceptable for Jewish people to feel unsafe in their city or to be told to manage the situation by staying indoors.
“Southend does not tolerate racism and intimidation. I have asked the police to support us in this endeavour.”
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