Eyewitness: protest numbers surprise both the organisers and the Met

Chris Hobbs attends a very large Trans rights protest but comes across other demonstrations including a Sudan war event and one linked to legalising cannabis.

The Supreme Court verdict in relation to gender was inevitably going to spark controversy with protests always likely to be the result; however, events on the subsequent Saturday were clearly not anticipated, either by the organisers or the Met.

The organisers apparently thought they would be lucky if they managed to muster a gathering of a thousand while the figure anticipated by the Met was several hundred.

As I approached Parliament Square, it was clear that there the chosen protest venue was woefully inadequate. Although traffic was still moving large crowds spilled out into the road and there was a distinct lack of a police presence. Ominously an ambulance could be seen amongst the crowd while there was the familiar protest sight of groups of drummers and dancing protesters.

Most of the grassed area of Parliament Square had been previously cordoned off to allow for regrowth in advance of the summer months. To the reported despair of the responsible gardener, that had completely disappeared under the thousands of pairs of feet.

Packed to overflowing

Parliament Square was quite simply packed to overflowing and the few police officers present were trying to ensure that the traffic kept flowing. Unlike many recent protests, there were few manufactured banners with most placards and banners being ‘home- made.’

That the numbers attending the protest massively exceeded the expectations of the organisers was illustrated by the fact that there was no public address system available which was capable of reaching the entire crowd.

Those attending simply gathered in small groups holding their own meetings using megaphones or indulging in singing and dancing as TSG units arrived to back-up their colleagues; officers however were still thin on the ground.

The march

Suddenly a large group formed up on the road adjacent to the square and began to march along Birdcage Walk. They met another march which had taken a different route out of the Square and thousands were suddenly heading in the direction of Buckingham Palace.

However, that was not their ultimate destination as, assisted by a small police cordon, they turned right into St. James’s Park before congregating on the grassed areas. Looking back along Birdcage Walk, it was quite a remarkable sight as thousands upon thousands made their way along the road and into the park; estimates of those familiar with protests put the numbers at between 12 and 15,000.

The only friction observed during this period, was when police refused to allow a music sound system into the park thus enforcing the long-standing Royal Parks regulations which also apply to Buckingham Palace.

The sound system remained outside the park but hundreds indulged in an impromptu rave to what could best be described as trance music; no eighties classics here.

Other protests

There was, however another protest taking place close-by. This was in relation to the current events in Sudan and given the dreadful situation in that country, the turnout of around 200 must have been disappointing to the organisers. Those involved marched from Marble Arch to Whitehall where they held a meeting opposite Downing Street.

Also, opposite Downing Street, a small protest in relation to Sri Lanka was dismantling its tents and placards, while members of Falon Gong were silently protesting against its persecution by the Chinese government.

Criminal damage

A return to St. James’s Park saw the large crowds beginning to peacefully disperse yet the afternoon hadn’t been without incident. Statues at the Supreme Court end of Parliament Square had been sprayed with graffiti. Police were predictably criticised but the crowds were too dense and officer numbers too few to have prevented these acts of criminal damage by a minority. The Met have launched an investigation in an attempt to identify those responsible.

Police were also criticised for not immediately removing several protesters who had clambered onto Churchill’s statue at the other end of Parliament Square. This was because officers were dealing with the medical emergency that necessitated the arrival of the ambulance referred to above. Once that had been dealt with, the protesters immediately complied with police instructions to remove themselves from the statue.

Potential future issues

Thus, whilst this large ‘pro-trans’ protest was largely peaceful and extremely well ordered, it has been pointed out that there was no opposition to it. There is a militant element to the pro-trans movement as has been present at rallies held by the ‘Let Women Speak’ group of feminist activists led by Posy Parker: This group are celebrating the Supreme Court ruling. During previous rallies in Hyde Park, police have had to protect them from masked pro-trans activists who numbered around 200. Another ‘Let Women Speak’ rally is being held this Sunday in Hyde Park which, given the furore in the aftermath of the Supreme Court verdict, is likely to require a substantial police presence.

Vaisakhi, the BTP OSU and Trafalgar Square

Whilst protests were occurring in and around Whitehall, another event was being held in Trafalgar Square to celebrate the Sikh Festival of Vaisakhi. The British Army and the British Transport Police OSU (Operational Support Unit; the BTP equivalent of the TSG) were present and commanded an interested audience. BTP officers displayed and explained their public order equipment; great public relations and an excellent strategy in terms of attracting potential recruits.

The BTP OSU were also on stand-by to rapidly deploy wherever they might be needed. They would, if required, willingly have assisted their Met colleagues just down the road should the situation have spiraled out of control. Fortunately, apart from the incidents mentioned above, there were no disorder which required police intervention.

The 4/20 cannabis event

Sunday saw the annual 4/20 ‘legalise cannabis’ event in Hyde Park. Last year, to the amusement of experienced photo-journalists, my short video clip of cannabis smoke rising from the park attracted 8.7 million views. Alas a swollen hand aggravated by Saturday’s ‘protest observations’ meant that I had to content myself with a in day in front of the TV watching football.

However social media featured a number of officers running across the Hyde Park to an incident and the Met reported four arrests with several sound systems confiscated.

It remains to be seen whether future protests and counter-protests in relation to the Supreme Court decision remain well-ordered. The one certainty is that there will be adequate police resources to deal with any eventuality.

All in all, however, despite some unexpected surprises, the Met can feel relieved that the weekend passed off without major incident; however, it would appear that a busy and resource draining ‘public order summer’ awaits.

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

Category: OpsPublic Order