A planned pro-Palestine march in Southend this weekend has been effectively called off after organisers said police imposed “insane restrictions” on their route.
Essex Police confirmed they had placed a number of conditions on the demonstration under the Public Order Act 1986, following concerns raised by community groups, local leaders and Southend City Council.
The protest, organised by Southend Action for Palestine, was originally due to take place on Saturday afternoon along Westcliff seafront and through Southend High Street. However, the revised police order bans the group from marching in Westcliff – an area home to a large Jewish population – and restricted the protest to a shorter and less prominent route.
Instead, demonstrators were told they could only march between Ilfracombe Car Park in Southchurch and Southend Civic Square, using the designated route outlined by police. A specific assembly point at the Civic Centre was also marked. The march must not begin before 12pm and must finish by 3pm.
Anyone attempting to breach these restrictions would face arrest.
In response, Southend Action for Palestine said: “The route the police gave us is not safe for our vulnerable community and the ending position takes us out of the public eye.”
The group also indicated they intend to organise another protest “very soon”.
Police statement
Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said:
“We do not impose restrictions on planned assembly or protest lightly. The right to peaceful protest is protected by law and allows everyone freedom of expression. The designated route and assembly areas ensure those taking part can feel seen and heard while prioritising our local communities, public safety, religious observance, and the enjoyment of families attending other events across the city.
“Our officers are there to keep the city safe and prevent incidents of intimidation or disorder. Very importantly, anyone who breaches the conditions set out, or indeed behaves criminally or displays anything which is illegal, will put themselves at risk of arrest – and we’ll be firm in how we deal with that.”
Community and political reaction
Residents and community leaders have welcomed the restrictions. Local resident Debra Joyce Williams said: “Good! Everyone has a right to a peaceful protest, but people that live here need to be free to go about their day and feel safe. Keeping the protest away from Westcliff makes perfect sense and doesn’t stop Palestine supporters protesting and voicing their views!”
Bayo Alaba, MP for Southend East and Rochford, said:
“Peaceful protest is always acceptable, and I would welcome one on another date without the rhetoric peddled by bad actors attached. My concern with this event is the inappropriate language used in its promotion and the fact that it coincides with City Jam, which increases the potential for harm and intimidation for both tourists and residents. I have a responsibility to protect all parts of the community who use the city centre, especially during large public events. This is about preventing harm to the whole city, not about supporting one side over another.”
Watch: A march through Westcliff from the same protest group in April
Councillor Daniel Cowan, leader of Southend City Council, also backed the police decision:
“I asked Essex Police for this to be stopped citing concerns for public safety as it clashed with City Jam, the UK’s biggest street art festival, and for the protection of Jewish communities who have been targeted with hateful abuse and the description of their home as a ‘horrific Zionist area’.
“I am pleased that the planned route has been stopped and Essex Police has placed significant conditions on the march. There is no need to march past synagogues and Jewish homes on Shabbat. The right to peaceful protest is enshrined in law, and it is one that I cherish. However, protests and demonstrations of any kind that promote division, hatred, and intimidation are not welcome in Southend.
“The organisers say the message of their movement is political so I hope they publicly distance themselves from those who call Southend a ‘horrific Zionist area’. I’d also welcome them voluntarily avoiding Jewish areas and places of worship for any future protest so they can evidence their intentions are simply to protest government policy and foreign affairs. I welcome the conditions put in place as they preserve the right to protest peacefully whilst ensuring our public spaces, faith communities, and cultural events are also protected.”
What happens next
While Saturday’s demonstration is not going ahead as originally planned, Southend Action for Palestine has already suggested further protests will be organised in the city.
Police say any future marches will face the same level of scrutiny to ensure public safety and community protection.
Daniel Cowan should hold hos head in shame. Why the hell should the feelings of the Jewish population in Westcliff come in to it. The Genocide and slow starvation of the Palestinian population is deserving of robust publicity and respect. Not pushed to one side out of sight down a few side roads by Cowan the head of Southends Labour run government and others with the power to dictate draconic rules for peaceful process. shameful.