A day before November 11, the Metropolitan Police Service is bracing for pro-Palestinian demonstrations by guarding war monuments and protecting poppy-sellers.
This follows the recent vandalism of the revered Cenotaph, marked by a spray-painted “free Palestine” message, and an assault on a military veteran by an individual associated with a pro-Palestinian group, where the veteran was punched in the face.
“This week concerns have been raised about the safety of poppy sellers at stations and other busy venues,” the Metropolitan Police Service stated, as reported by GB News.
“Alongside our colleagues at the British Transport Police, we have been clear no intimidation of those who so generously give up their time for this treasured national cause will be tolerated.”
GB News reporter Martin Daubney stated on Friday that certain military veterans were told not wear “medals or insignia” as they participate in Armistice and Remembrance events, but it’s unclear where this alleged directive came from.
Police originally requested protesters take Remembrance Day off but have learned from leaders of the planned pro-Palestinian demonstration that it will proceed as planned. Police subsequently announced on Friday that they will arrest anyone attempting to protest in areas around the Cenotaph and Whitehall.
The Cenotaph is a war memorial located on Whitehall in London, England. It was unveiled in 1920 as the United Kingdom’s national memorial to the dead of Britain and the British Empire of the First World War.
Changing demographics
In 1991, the Muslim population in London was estimated to be around 3% of the total population. By 2011, that figure increased to around 12.4% of the total population. As of 2021, the Muslim population in London represented 15% of the population.
Earlier in the week, a couple of distressed elderly poppy-sellers were seen surrounded by pro-Palestinian demonstrators in a train station. Since then, most poppy-sellers have deserted the train stations.
Since October 7 Hamas terrorist attack in Israel, police have made 188 arrests related to hate crimes or protests in London.
