Rishi Sunak: "Support marches are provocative and disrespectful"

The overlap between the pro-Palestine solidarity march scheduled for November 11 and the Armistice Day commemoration ceremony, which will be attended by the Royal family, has put the government on alert. 

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Home Secretary Suella Braverman have made consecutive statements. 

Sunak described the pro-Palestine solidarity march, which will take place on Armistice Day—the anniversary of Germany's surrender in World War I—as "provocative and disrespectful."

Sunak, who claimed there is a risk of disrespect to military monuments in London and the Cenotaph where Armistice Day events will be held, was supported by Braverman in a post on her X account. Braverman stated, "I agree with the Prime Minister. It is entirely unacceptable to hold a hate march in London on Armistice Day."

Six non-governmental organizations that have been organizing the pro-Palestine marches in London, which have seen tens of thousands of participants every Saturday since October 14, responded to Sunak and Braverman, stating, "We have clearly stated that the march to be held on November 11 will not pass through Whitehall Street, where the commemoration event will take place, so as not to affect the ceremony at the Cenotaph."

"Our planned march route is between Hyde Park and the US Embassy in London. The march will take place at 12:45, which is 2 hours after the moment of silence at the commemoration ceremony. These statements encourage highly irresponsible far-right groups who are calling for street protests to stop the marches."

In the statement, regarding Braverman's words, it was stated, "It is clear that this stems from a desire to suppress public support for ending the bombing of the people of Gaza."

Emphasizing that the demonstrations held in London since October 14 have been peaceful, the statement said, "Describing a march that will take place far from Whitehall as disrespectful to those who died in the war is an insult to those marching for peace."

Among those who reacted to Braverman was the famous British footballer and BBC commentator Gary Lineker. In his reaction to Braverman's statements on his X account, Lineker said, "Marching for a ceasefire and peace so that no more innocent children die does not fit the definition of a hate march."

The fourth demonstration in London will be held on Saturday the 4th at Trafalgar Square, one of the city's iconic locations.

News Source: 12punto