London Police Seek Rescheduling of October 7 Pro-Palestine March Amid Safety Concerns
London's Metropolitan Police have publicly urged organizers of a pro-Palestinian march to reschedule an event planned for October 7, the third anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel. Senior officer James Harman cited 'serious concerns' regarding the impact on Jewish students and staff, noting that the route between King's College London and University College London poses risks on a sensitive commemorative date. While police cannot ban the march solely based on its date, they are imposing strict conditions and deploying hundreds of officers to ensure public safety. Organizers, the University of London Coalition, have not yet confirmed whether they will move the event, which is expected to draw around 300 participants. A larger pro-Palestinian march is also planned for October 10, with police estimating up to 10,000 attendees. The Met has contacted four universities to ensure Jewish students can study without feeling threatened, citing a significant rise in antisemitic incidents since 2023.