Is Scotland Yard Giving the Far-Right a ‘Green Light’ to Disrupt Nakba Day? Top UK Politicians Protest Outside Police HQ
In an on-the-ground report by Arabs in Britain (AUK), a high-level delegation of British MPs, trade unionists, and activists gathered outside the Metropolitan Police headquarters (Scotland Yard) to challenge what they described as “bias in the management of public space.”
The protest, documented by the platform, aimed to deliver a formal memorandum of protest against the decision to grant far-right groups priority access to key protest sites on the same day as the annual commemoration of the Palestinian Nakba.
Broad Parliamentary and Union Mobilization
The delegation was led by British Members of Parliament John McDonnell and Richard Burgon, with broad participation from trade union representatives, pro-Palestinian organizations, and representatives of the Palestinian and Arab communities in Britain. Although the turnout was symbolic in numbers, it carried a powerful political and media message to the police leadership.
Protocol Obstacles and Parliamentary Follow-up
During its coverage, AUK learned that the police refused to accept the memorandum by hand, citing that the move did not align with current “official protocols.”
In response, the participating MPs informed the platform that they would send the memorandum via official parliamentary mail to ensure the protest is formally and legally recorded.
The Protest Memorandum: “Double Standards”
This action comes in response to the security authorities’ decision to allocate strategic locations in central London on Saturday, May 16, to far-right marches. This date coincides with major events organized by the Arab community and Palestine solidarity groups to mark the anniversary of the Nakba.
The memorandum asserts that this measure:
- Obstructs Democratic Rights: Hinders the freedom of expression and the right to commemorate a pivotal historical event for the Palestinian people.
- Raises Security Concerns: Allows extremist factions to occupy spaces that intersect with large-scale peaceful marches.
- Reflects Unjustified Bias: Prioritizes groups known for hate speech over human rights causes.
A Message to the Police Commissioner
Participants emphasized that “London must remain a venue for justice, not a platform for the far-right.” They called on Scotland Yard to reconsider the allocation of sites and ensure that Palestinian events—which typically draw tens of thousands of British participants—are not restricted.
This year’s Nakba anniversary carries exceptional significance given the current situation in Palestine, making the protection of the right to protest in the British capital an urgent demand for political and civil forces across the UK.
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