Eyewitness: a march near the US Embassy (among other protests)

Chris Hobbs attends a set of protests which had the potential to become more difficult for the Met due to events outside of their control.

Caption: (main picture): A pro-Palestine protester dressed as a police officer pig

In the days before yet another pro-Palestine protest, Met police public order commanders would have been anxiously watching events in the Middle East concerned as to whether the ceasefire would collapse resulting in increased Israeli military activity and no exchange of hostages. The fact that the ultimate destination was the United States Embassy simply added another area of complexity.

There were, however, no events which would change the dynamics of the day and the march and rally went ahead with minor incidents that have become almost routine.

The pro-Palestine/stop the war protesters gathered in Whitehall and marched along Millbank before crossing Vauxhall Bridge which is a ten-minute walk from the US Embassy.

Pro-Israeli counter-protesters gathered on the approach to Vauxhall Bridge in the area designated by the Met. The two sides were separated by pro-Palestine stewards, two lines of steel barriers in between which was a ‘sterile’ area occupied by police.

Inserts and incidents

As predicted, a small group of Pro-Israeli activists dubbed ‘Inserts,’ again materialised along Millbank and placed themselves in the midst of the Palestine protest inviting retribution. Their spurious claim is that they are exercising their ‘freedoms;’ insults were exchanged, police intervened and the march continued.

More insults, hurled by both sides, followed as the march met the officially sanctioned pro-Israeli counter-protest. This was routine but suddenly officers could be seen running across the sterile area towards roads located behind the counter-protest. It soon became apparent that a small group of pro-Palestine protesters had appeared behind the counter-protesters and several pro-Israeli individuals moved to confront them.

Whether the appearance of the pro-Palestine protesters was by accident, in that they were simply attempting to join the main march or by design wasn’t apparent but, in any event, officers quickly moved them on.

Minutes later, more police officers could be seen pinning a male to the floor on the approach to Vauxhall Bridge; he was then bodily carried away by several officers. Within minutes there was, what appeared to be another arrest; this was of an elderly man who, unusually was not handcuffed.

Freedom denied?

It was later revealed that the 79-year-old man had allegedly proffered a Nazi ‘Heil Hitler’ (or Roman!) salute in the direction of the pro-Israelis. Perhaps this could be interpreted as simply as an example of the freedom of expression as advocated by the US Vice-President Vance being supressed by the British state.

The march reached the US Embassy which is situated in the former industrial site of Nine Elms and surrounded by blocks of luxury apartments. All approaches were sealed off by police and admittance was only granted to residents.

As with previous protests, a number of marchers, having reached their destination, turned around and headed for home. Others formed their own groups and indulged in debate, drum and chant ‘fests.’ The majority listened to speeches from the stage and the event concluded at 4PM; the official ‘witching hour’ as agreed between organisers and police was 5.30PM.

Arrests but generally amicable

In all the Met stated that they made eight arrests during the course of the march and the rally; despite the above the event was generally peaceful and relations between police and those participating could best be described as amicable despite the presence of the ‘uniform officer’ wearing a pig’s head.

A well- ordered farmer’s protest

If relations between pro-Palestine protesters and indeed pro-Israeli counter-protesters and police were amicable, relations between the farmers and officers during their protest just days earlier, were positively cordial. Tractors three or four abreast could be seen along almost entire length of Whitehall. Police officers controlled the entry point at the top of the world- famous street and farmers waved in acknowledgement as officers facilitated their progress. As Whitehall became full, tractors were directed to Northumberland Avenue which became an overflow tractor park.

A rally was held by Downing Street which finished just after 4.30Pm with tractors due to move off at 5.30 which, as at the previous protest, delighted the tourists. Of particular interest were the two tanks and the armoured vehicle which had joined the protest and were parked amongst the tractors.

Apparently, they were carefully scrutinised by traffic officers when they entered Whitehall to ensure they were legitimately roadworthy and to satisfy sheer professional curiosity.

It remains to be seen whether future farmers protests remain orderly and compliant. Just days later farmers disrupted a visit of Prime Minister Kier Starmer to a housing estate in Buckinghamshire.

February 8th

Perhaps somewhat foolishly, I mentioned to friends that I would be spending the day parked in front of the television watching FA Cup football, including my own side Leyton Orient, as it looked as if it would be a ‘quiet,’ day of London protest.

In fact, the Met had to deal with two problematic public order events plus a Sudanese women’s protest. The proposal to construct a large- scale Chinese Embassy in Tower Hamlets attracted more than a thousand protesters including Hong Kong Chinese plus other dissident groups opposed to China’s regime. Scuffles broke out with police and two arrests were reportedly made. Interestingly one well known photo journalist who was present stated that during the disorder, the Hong Kong Chinese adopted tactics they’d used against the Hong Kong police during the unrest there.

The Congo protest

The other protest concerned the current situation in the Congo with much venom being directed against Rwanda who are reportedly backing the M23 rebels against the Congolese government.

Again, social media showed a number of scuffles breaking out with police in Whitehall with arrests being made.

The third protest appears to have been uneventful and was a Sudanese women’s protest against both the civil war in that country and the consequent violence against women.

This Saturday there is a pro-Ukraine march to the Russian Embassy which will doubtless feature significant antipathy towards Donald Trump concerning his recent comments in respect of Ukraine’s president. It also appears that there may be another Congolese protest. I will endeavour to ensure that the ‘Q’ word remains unspoken.

Chris Hobbs is a former Special Branch officer who follows protests as an observer for Police Oracle.

Category: OpsPublic Order