Academics demand inquiry into pro-Palestine protest policing

Over 40 legal scholars have called for an independent inquiry into the Metropolitan Police’s handling of a pro-Palestine protest in London, labelling it “a disproportionate, unwarranted and dangerous assault on the right to assembly and protest.” The police arrested 77 individuals, citing safety concerns due to the protest’s proximity to a synagogue. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and notable figures like Jeremy Corbyn disputed the police’s claims of a coordinated breach of protest conditions. The letter, signed by academics including Prof Jeff King from UCL, criticises the police’s actions as politically motivated and calls for the repeal of recent anti-protest laws. Dr Paul O’Connell from Soas University emphasised the importance of the right to protest, stating: “Freedom to assemble and protest is the very lifeblood of a democratic society.” The letter was addressed to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, urging her to ensure that police tactics uphold the right to protest as mandated by human rights treaties.