To think that London, or anywhere else for that matter, does not belong to any one demographic

If the arrest of a protester shouting antisemitic insults and chants provoked a riot, it rather proves the point that the marches are antisemitic and hateful in nature, and that they should be curtailed.

Vintagewhine

Those of you who want to ban these marches should look at those countries where protests are banned and ask themselves if they would want to live there. China, North Korea, Russia,the list of undemocratic countries is long. It's also of interest that as countries move further towards the right as in Austria, Hungary etc they start banning protests. We need to protect our right to protest even if you are not in sympathy with this cause, next time, you might be.

And several European countries.

Comparing them with totalitarian states is ridiculous.
Do any of those totalitarian states allow democracy and free speech?

Free speech does not include hate speech, nor should it come at the expense of the majority to move freely around our towns and cities.

I think we've got the point now and those who could stop the fighting are not listening anyway.

Campaigns are one thing, marches with hate-filled slogans are quite another.

I don't think people really understand antisemitism and openly Jewish in the context was clumsy but not antisemiti
I am a Christian but we had a surname that many believed was Jewish. My first taste of antisemitism was when I was about seven. My sister and I were in our sandpit in the garden and two little girls came to the fence of their garden and asked to play. Their angry mother appeared and said "You are not to play with those children they are filthy Jews".
Now that was antisemitism! At that age in the early 50s I didn't even know what a Jew was.

Placards of swastikas, photographs of Hitler, much singing of
From The River , yes antisemitism

maddyone

If the arrest of a protester shouting antisemitic insults and chants provoked a riot, it rather proves the point that the marches are antisemitic and hateful in nature, and that they should be curtailed.

You would have thought so maddyone

I really dislike the phrase two tier policing but I think it’s alive and kicking in the U.K. at the moment.

Whilst I do not condone the behaviour by some at the St.Georges Day march yesterday, the restrictions put on the march, the kettling of the marchers etc., must have contributed to the frustration of some which led to the ugly scenes posted online.

Vintagewhine

If you want to hold a march you have to give 6 days notice and the police have the power to change or limit the route or set any other conditions that they want. If the police believe that a march is a threat to the general public they can ban it. We all pay for policing, most funding comes from Central government.

They are worried about being labelled Islamophobic.

Which, of course, they would be by certain sections if they stopped these marches.

Police on horseback for St.George Day march so like the
Miners strike

Perhaps this situation should be taken out of the remit of the police and the government give proper advice as to what is now acceptable.

I noticed police on horseback yesterday and wondered why not at the pro Palestinian marches.

London mayor approves of the marches

Yes Callistemon they are worried about being labelled Islamophobic. It’s ridiculous the amount of pandering going on. It’s appeasement.

These marches are no longer about what’s happening in Gaza. If, as someone said upthread, they’re aimed at our government not Israel then it’s about time they understood our government have no leverage with Netanyahu. Biden asked him not to retaliate against Iran but he went ahead anyway. Does anyone seriously believe he’ll listen to Rishi Sunak?

These marches are causing problems and disruption. The police on horseback soon charged into the St George’s Day March. How anyone can deny we don’t have two tier policing I do not know.

I too am of the opinion that the police are probably worried about being labelled Islamophobic which is why they take a softer approach with these marches.

It's complicated, there are many non muslims on the marches too.
As far as I understand it, the marches are part of an international attempt to get a settlement in Gaza and bring the awfulness of the situation to the attention of the public - who will have a variety of opinions of course.

If there had been no marches, I doubt we would have the levels of awareness that we do (whatever our opinions)

Definitely pandering, anti semitism supporters want to walk in
London on Saturday, pro Palestine marches say they must be
.viewed as protesters

It depends what they want to do exactly? Usual policy if there is a perceived clash of interests to have two gatherings and police permission for those gatherings sought in advance and policed appropriately.

AGAA4

I don't think people really understand antisemitism and openly Jewish in the context was clumsy but not antisemiti
I am a Christian but we had a surname that many believed was Jewish. My first taste of antisemitism was when I was about seven. My sister and I were in our sandpit in the garden and two little girls came to the fence of their garden and asked to play. Their angry mother appeared and said "You are not to play with those children they are filthy Jews".
Now that was antisemitism! At that age in the early 50s I didn't even know what a Jew was.

Shows just how long anti-semitism has been alive and kicking!
As my Dad had been involved around the Cable Street conflicts we were brought up to be very aware of the appalling genocide before and during WW2. Mum and Dad were active in re settlement help post WW2 in the UK.

Tail wags the dog in this country - can’t even wave a dam uk flag for upsetting certain people!

As far as I understand it, the marches are part of an international attempt to get a settlement in Gaza and bring the awfulness of the situation to the attention of the public -

can there be anyone left unaware of the awfulness at this point? If awareness is the aim, then there is no need for any more marches and disruption. Anyone who is still unaware today will not be made aware by 10, 20 or 100 more marches. Neither Israel, nor Hamas are the least bit influenced by the marches, so they are just demonstrations for their own sake. Better to spend that time and money on relief projects for the affected.

If there had been no marches, I doubt we would have the levels of awareness that we do (whatever our opinions) surely the awareness of what is actually happening in Gaza comes from news reports, not people chanting slogans, waving flags and banners?

Anniebach

Placards of swastikas, photographs of Hitler, much singing of
From The River , yes antisemitism

Must be terrifying to be Jewish in London today!

Swastikas are anti British and an insult to all those who taught in the last world war. Nazis are anti everything that doesn't comply with their own skewed beliefs.
The police will be aware of the Nazi groups in this country. They can't be arrested on the marches because there would be a riot.
My family and others who faught and lived through the war would be horrified to see swastikas on the streets of Britain. All the sacrifices made to see Nazis in our ccountry.

Faught*

Sorry fought!

I can’t even imagine what my father would have thought. He fought for this country and our freedom in WW2 and was badly injured. I’m glad he never had to see this.

maddyone

I can’t even imagine what my father would have thought. He fought for this country and our freedom in WW2 and was badly injured. I’m glad he never had to see this.

And all the remaining survivors of the concentration camps and their families. Dreadful.

But when you get Prince Harry dressing as a German soldier complete with a swastika armband, and police telling people to consider the "context" of how the swastika was used, I can't really say I'm surprised.

Ignorance or apathy or both. Neither is acceptable. Both are somewhat shameful.

The police will be aware of the Nazi groups in this country. They can't be arrested on the marches because there would be a riot.

The police don’t seem to have a problem arresting Tommy Robinson types displaying swastikas. Take a look at the way they charged at the St George’s day parade. It’s not what’s on display or what hate is being incited it’s WHO is doing it that the powers that be are bothered about.