France bans pro-Palestinian protests amid call for Hamas ‘day of rage’
Washington PostOct 04, 2023
Sunak: Pro-Palestine Rally Can Proceed on Armistice Day
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The Facts
After describing the event as "disrespectful" and summoning the Metropolitan (Met) Police Commissioner to discuss safety concerns, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated Wednesday that those who plan to hold a pro-Palestine rally in London on Saturday had the "right to peacefully protest."
Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley argued that from a legal standpoint, there was "no mechanism to ban a gathering, a static protest," adding that people "should be very reassured that we're going to keep this away from the remembrance and armistice events." In response, Sunak had said that his "job" was now to "hold him accountable" for that promise.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
A paramount Western value is that dissenting voices can heard. This can be accomplished in the UK while also maintaining public order. In the case of Armistice Day weekend, many diverse voices will be heard, but the different events will take place on different days and in different locations. The security situation is well in hand.
Establishment-critical narrative
The British public has spoken out against what they see as the desecration of a day meant to celebrate fallen British soldiers. Couple that with growing fears of rogue bad actors using the conflict to wreak havoc on society, it would be in the interest of public safety to simply keep Armistice Day as it's traditionally been and push the pro-Palestine march to a less controversial date. Sunak, legal authorities, and the event organizers should move this event and are wrong not to do so.
