Fears grow of violent clashes ahead of pro-Palestine march on Armistice Day
Members of the far-right could clash with campaigners at a pro-Palestine march as tensions rise ahead of Armistice Day
Reuters
Members of the far-right could clash with campaigners at a pro-Palestine march as tensions rise ahead of Armistice Day.
Fears are growing as more than 70,000 protesters are expected to travel to London on Saturday calling for a ceasefire in Gaza - just several hours after a two minute silence is to be held in honour of the war dead.
English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson has sparked concern after rallying his followers to join him on Saturday.
Robinson posted on social media yesterday after his account was reinstated, calling on his like-minded peers to take action.
WATCH NOW: Pro-Palestine protesters chant in Liverpool Street station
He wrote: "Saturday 11/11/11 London, your country needs you."
In an accompanying video, he spoke of "a mass of men who are willing to stand for their country".
It comes after Jonathan Hall KC, the independent reviewer of terror legislation, warned that there were concerns of "an extreme right-wing backlash" if Saturday's demonstration goes ahead.
He added that Islamists had used a previous Remembrance Day protest as a "recruitment method" and later saw the murder of Lee Rigby in 2013.
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Met Police chief, Sir Mark Rowley faces calls to ban the demonstration after Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said he had "grave concerns" about the event.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also referred to the proposals as "provocative and disrespectful".
The Met has warned of a "growing" risk of violence and disorder from breakaway groups at the protest.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said: "This is of concern ahead of a significant and busy weekend in the capital.
Police are guarding Rochdale Cenotaph after being vandalised with 'free Palestine' graffiti amid a spate of 'unacceptable' attacksGB News"Our message to organisers is clear: Please, we ask you to urgently reconsider. It is not appropriate to hold any protests in London this weekend."
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign group - who helped organise the march - said it was "deeply concerned" by the statement.
Other groups involved in the demonstration, including Stop the War and the Muslim Association of Britain, said they would press ahead with the march.
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