Should any marches around or near the Cenotaph this weekend not be allowed?

silverlining48

Would also say that I would rather have a police decision than the government deciding about protest We all know where that can lead.

Well yes, that’s why decisions are in the hands of the police.
It all rests on can the police deal with it? We shall have to see at the weekend.
At least the service and remembrance parade will go ahead first.
Anyone who attacks a cenotaph for any reason is an ignorant idiot.

At least the service and remembrance parade will go ahead first.

The planned march is on SATURDAY. The Remembrance Day ceremonies are on SUNDAY.

How many times do posters have to point this out?

I'm sure that there will be a huge police presence at the Cenotaph on both days.

If you have a look at the route of the Palestine protest, you will see the closest it gets to the Cenotaph is 1 mile.

The U.K. has always been traditionally a tolerant and inclusive society, and are proud of our recognition of freedom of speech.

We may not like it, finding it disrespectful, or, we may fully support it, finding the call for a ceasefire entirely appropriate for the day of armistice.

What I am exceeded worried about is Braverman’s failure to take the heat out of this by her language of hate.

It's not just about the Sunday Remembrance ceremony though is it?
To my knowledge there are two remembrance festivals run by the Royal British Legion at The Royal Hall on the Saturday afternoon/evening. (The Albert Hall being on the edge of Hyde Park, so potential for clashes with protesters who will be in the area at the same time). Added to this, trouble on the tube and down side streets is possible.
I'm OK with a peaceful march going ahead alongside other events, obviously not in the same roads, but my problem with it is that the police are too afraid to enforce the law if anyone plays up.

Oh there’s bound to be protesters out and about in London on the Sunday.

I think they are afraid Joseanne as they are so outnumbered.

It’s the Lord Mayor of London annual show/parade during the day on 11th Nov, we have cancelled our plans to go.

There is no way I will take young children to London at the moment, we have also cancelled a family meal in London 11/11

I no longer feel safe in my capital city.

GrannyGravy13

It’s the Lord Mayor of London annual show/parade during the day on 11th Nov, we have cancelled our plans to go.

There is no way I will take young children to London at the moment, we have also cancelled a family meal in London 11/11

I no longer feel safe in my capital city.

Why? Are you letting Braverman’s rhetoric persuade your actions?

Whitewavemark2

GrannyGravy13

It’s the Lord Mayor of London annual show/parade during the day on 11th Nov, we have cancelled our plans to go.

There is no way I will take young children to London at the moment, we have also cancelled a family meal in London 11/11

I no longer feel safe in my capital city.

Why? Are you letting Braverman’s rhetoric persuade your actions?

It has absolutely nothing to do with The Home Secretary.

We went to London a couple of Saturdays ago, and having witnessed protests/protestors have decided it is neither appropriate nor safe to be in the capital with young children at the weekend at the moment.

The Met commissioner made clear during interviews that there is no legal reason to stop the march in support of Palestine. He had previously asked the organisers not to march this Saturday in respect of Remembrance. I’m sure he will have been given legal advice, which he’s following. Thank goodness he’s in charge rather than Suella Braverman who it seems is yet again using inflammatory, divisive language.

The possibility of civil unrest is high of course. It will need huge police presence to attempt to keep the peace.

maddyone

I’ve reported the post and hope they’ll change it.

Maddy your quote and request to change is on the thread above so not sure if it will be seen by GN??

This weekend is a big deal to the military and families having lost loved ones and time to reflect. This has got nothing to do with other countries this is for British people to remember our war dead our vets. A lot of our soldiers will be in uniform travelling to London this weekend and for that other march to go on just shows what respect they have for our country. They should not do it this weekend. I think they will be trouble this weekend and it will change our country for the worse. I feel sorry for the Jews in our country who no longer for safe and the sheep on the marchs for follow a group that thinks it is fine to rape children etc and attack old men for selling poppies and not one of them went to his aid I say shame on you all.

Remembrance is about war and the pity of war. Remembrance embraces all who suffer from war and all nations who suffer from war.

Not only soldiers sailors and airmen but all widows , bereaved parents, and terrified children.

A cenotaph is a symbol of right feelings so it is ignorant to deface a cenotaph.

PS Maybe I am naive but keeping people safe to express their non violent feelings is the work of police and it's the police who know best how to do this.

Oreo

Oh there’s bound to be protesters out and about in London on the Sunday.

They have nothing to do with the planned march on Saturday.

I'm sure the police will be prepared for them.

I'm more worried about Tommy Robinson's plans to 'protect' the cenotaph...

I don’t know about Rotherham but the cenotaph in Rochdale was vandalised this week, with pro Palestinian slogans. It’s so sad to see support for peace resulting in that kind of disgraceful behaviour

Seems the faults lie with The Home Secretary and Robinson, the protesters are sooooo innocent

In this country, people have the right to hold protests, but I think that right should only apply to British citizens. I wonder how many people have intentionally come into the country to take part in these protest marches and how many are illegals?

Thank you Madgran for pointing out my mistake. However I have also reported properly and am still hoping to get the title changed.

I can see both sides of this. I believe in free speech and am so happy I live in a liberal democracy. I believe that protests and marches are a fundamental part of that democracy. However I’m concerned that Tommy Robinson’s name has been mentioned with regard to this particular march and I worry that his presence, or the presence of his followers, will really kick things off in a most undesirable way. I’m also concerned about police numbers and if there will be sufficient to police both events properly. As Joseann mentions there will be other remembrance events during the weekend, in particular on Saturday, and again there is potential for problems. However, if the march was to be banned, it would probably inflame tensions, and possibly cause even more trouble. People would probably descend on to London anyway and that in itself could be problematic.

I understand why you’ve cancelled your visits this weekend GrannyGravy. I visited London for three days shortly after the events of 7/10 with my daughter and her children, visiting from New Zealand. I was very concerned before we went because one of my grandchildren is extremely anxious and the mere noises and unfamiliar sights and crowds spooked him a bit when we first arrived. I thought any signs of demonstrations would be seriously upsetting for him, but as we were visiting mid week, we saw and heard nothing unusual, and our visit proceeded well. The little one adapted after initial fear and anxiety and enjoyed his trip.

Iam64

I don’t know about Rotherham but the cenotaph in Rochdale was vandalised this week, with pro Palestinian slogans. It’s so sad to see support for peace resulting in that kind of disgraceful behaviour

Sorry, I probably got the wrong place. Apologies.

silverlining48

Or worse still, that the government take over. The right of protest is democracy at its most basic and should be rigorously protected.

I completely agree... a very slippery slope

I'm from a military family so respect Remembrance etc, but all the fuss about this means load more people will try to gatecrash the protest to make trouble who probably wouldn't have bothered to come, thus upping the possibility of conflict. One of the reasons people fought in the wars was for the freedom of speech, protest etc, so a peaceful protest, well away from the ceremonials and even on a different day should be allowed.

I do think they have to be allowed to go ahead, because I imagine if they were to be banned some would turn up anyway and "free speech" is a tenet of our society, a fact to dwell on given Hamas paymasters, Iran certainly don't have recourse to protest, I just hope the police are able to corral the marches so they keep them in the designated area that they are supposed to be. The danger is of course if professional agitators from opposing sides break away and come into contact with each other, then I fear there could be one almighty punch up! I do hope any person seen displaying a hate fuelled banner is arrested and dealt with.

Suffice to say, I think the solemnity of a day that is full of meaning and a British tradition could possibly be marred which would be a great shame.

free speech yes,

damage and deface monument and government buildings is against the law and so not allowed.

Just for one day these protestors should be banned and that includes Tommy Robinson et al. They are free to March and protest within law constraints every other day of the year. Could we keep the Remembrance Day service at just that to show our respect. Attacking poppy sellers is not on either.