Demand for Release of Chief Steward Arrested by Met Police at London Rally
In a shocking turn of events at the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) protest in London on Saturday, Stop the War has reported the arrest of chief steward Chris Nineham by the Metropolitan Police.
Outrage and Controversy
According to Stop the War, police officers allegedly approached Nineham under the guise of discussing the protest, only to arrest him by physically forcing him to the ground. The campaign group has condemned this action as an assault on the Palestine movement and a violation of civil liberties. They demand Nineham’s immediate release without any charges, refusing to be intimidated by these actions.
Support and Resistance
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and the party’s former shadow chancellor John McDonnell were among the thousands of demonstrators who marched towards Trafalgar Square from Whitehall after the rally. Corbyn took to Twitter to express his support for Nineham’s release, calling the arrest an affront to democratic rights.
Protesters clashed with police as they pushed past barricades towards the square, with a masked activist even standing on a police car, waving a Palestine flag. Members of the public were caught in the chaos, questioning officers about the restrictions placed on the march.
Police Response and Controversy
The Metropolitan Police issued warnings to disperse and eventually made arrests of individuals who breached the conditions set for the protest. A total of 20 to 30 people were contained in Trafalgar Square and taken into custody. Prior to these arrests, eight individuals had already been arrested for various offenses related to the protest.
The Met had initially denied implementing a “ring of steel” around Broadcasting House, citing concerns about disruptions to a nearby synagogue and a Jewish holy day. Despite these challenges, the protest was redirected to a static rally in Whitehall.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan defended the police presence at the rally, emphasizing that over 1,100 officers were deployed to maintain control and ensure public safety. He clarified that the goal was not to surround Broadcasting House but to maintain a visible presence in the area.
As tensions continue to rise between protesters and law enforcement, the demand for justice and the release of Chris Nineham remains at the forefront of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
