Eyewitness: World events impact on London and the Met

World events are often reflected on the streets of London and this maxim has been perfectly illustrated by recent events in the Middle East, writes Chris Hobbs.

Tensions linked to Iran have periodically flared over recent years. Still, the current crisis has reached a new level of complexity that poses an additional challenge to officers policing protests and counter-protests.

There is no doubt that President Trump’s encouragement to anti-regime protesters in Iran by virtue of promising to ‘rescue’ them should the Iranian security forces begin ‘shooting’ and then his subsequent failure to act, caused resentment amongst Iranian exiles opposed to the regime; however, the ongoing campaign by American and Israeli forces has been greeted with renewed enthusiasm.

On Saturday, the Met had to juggle the interests of various activist groups to ensure they could make their feelings and opinions known without coming into conflict.

The pro-Iranian monarchist group, who support the return of the individual they regard as the Shah, met in Whitehall. Their numbers were not as great as seen the previous week, whilst the organisers complained that the Met had imposed unreasonable conditions on their protest. Once again, they met in the allocated protest area opposite Downing Street, in front of the Ministry of Defence, and, as previously, the intention was to make the four-mile trek to the Iranian Embassy.

A nearby gathering of Kurds

However, Met officers were very much aware that a short distance away at the top of the end of Trafalgar Square, there was a gathering of Kurds where the topic being addressed by speakers was also the current situation in the Middle East.

Whilst the Kurds are very much opposed to the current regime, they are also opposed to those who wish to restore the monarchy. Several weeks ago, TSG officers had to intervene as several hundred Kurdish youths attempted to attack a pro-Monarchy rally in Whitehall. On this occasion, there were a few youths present amongst the 150 or so Kurds who had gathered, but police were deployed in Trafalgar Square in order to ensure that there would be no friction between the two sides. To add to the confusion, the Kurds are supportive of American action to topple the regime but critical of the withdrawal of American support for their own forces in Syria.

A complex situation

The pro-Shah monarchists duly marched past the bottom of Trafalgar Square on their way to the Iranian Embassy, but there were no issues between the two groups. The route also took the monarchists away from Piccadilly Circus, where there was, as previously, a small pro-Palestine children’s event. There is predictable friction between the Iranian monarchists and the pro-Palestinians since pro-Palestinian terror groups, including Hamas and Hezbollah, receive support from the Iranian regime. Iranian monarchists can frequently be seen with pro-Israelis during their static counter-protests against the large Palestine Solidarity marches. Indeed, Jewish and pro-Monarchist Iranians could be seen celebrating together in Golders Green on Saturday night.

As the monarchists marched to the Iranian Embassy, another protest was convening in Parliament Square. This was a Stop the War event that was originally scheduled for Whitehall beginning at around 3pm. In order to ensure that this didn’t clash with the Iranian monarchists, this gathering was moved to Parliament Square. Clearly, this protest would and did attract those from the left of UK politics and include pro-Palestinians and those opposed to the actions of the United States and Israel.

Other protests

In addition to protests linked to the Middle East, there was a small but vocal animal rights protest outside the Great Scotland Yard Hotel, which is part of the Hyatt Hotel chain. It would appear that some Hyatt Hotels outside the UK have dolphinariums, hence the protest.

Opposite Parliament, despite a ‘call to arms’ by the organiser a fc*k the government protest; it was attended by… the organiser. According to the placards on display, his main issue was Covid vaccines. Also untroubled by police was a half-naked, helmeted, masked man who was clutching a placard urging the helping of people in need; the saving of lives; fighting suffering and injustice and maximising well-being and happiness. It was a chilly afternoon, and the gentleman kept warm by sprinting up and down the footway outside Parliament.

The march, dispersal and thanks to officers

Having successfully juggled the competing demands of the various groups and avoiding any friction, it only remained for the Met to successfully escort the Iranian supporters of the Shah to the Iranian Embassy. There they were greeted by a large crowd that had already assembled, and there was a clear atmosphere of celebration as rumours circulated that Iran’s spiritual leader, Ali Khamenei, had been killed during an American attack.

Conditions imposed by the Met stated that the protest had to end at 5.30pm, and as those protesters began to leave, it was refreshing to see and hear many thanking Met officers as they departed. This was in marked contrast to their leadership, who, in the past, have accused Met officers of ‘behaving like the IRGC,’ Iran’s revolutionary guard, who were responsible for the murder of thousands during the January uprising.

Sunday; another march and a counter-attraction

On Sunday, an almost identical Iranian protest took place where monarchists and supporters again rallied in Whitehall before marching to the Embassy. I have to confess that the lure of three live football matches courtesy of Sky Sports as opposed to yet another Groundhog Day protest proved a greater attraction.

Public order challenges will continue for the Met, and next Saturday, a major anti-war protest is scheduled. This will undoubtedly be anti-American, anti-Israel and pro-Palestine. It isn’t yet known whether Iranian and Kurdish dissidents intend to continue their own demonstrations. If so, the Met will have to continue their juggling act in order to ensure that whilst everyone can have their say, they can do so in safe, controlled conditions.

Finally, officers performing duty at these protests have to be aware of flags linked to the Iran issue, which are likely to be present in abundance. All are similar in appearance, yet the presence of any two in proximity should trigger concern amongst officers in the vicinity, as they are a clear indication of potential disorder between rival groups.