Major Palestine Action protest to go ahead as planned despite Manchester attack

Defiant organisers of a protest in support of banned terrorist organisation Palestine Action have ignored pleas to call it off following the Manchester synagogue attack and insisted it will go ahead.

Hundreds of people said they would attend the demonstration at Trafalgar Square on Saturday in support of the group, which was banned by the government. Organisers Defend Our Juries said the protest would "go ahead as planned."

The Metropolitan Police asked the groupto postpone the demonstration following Thursday's attack in north Manchester, which left two people dead, the organisation said. Defend Our Juries said the correspondence highlighted how previous demonstrations have put significant pressure on police.

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In a letter of response to Scotland Yard, it said: "The protection of our democracy and the prevention of countless deaths are critical issues. Therefore, our protest will go ahead as planned for this Saturday.

"We urge you, therefore, to choose to prioritise protecting the community, rather than arresting those peacefully holding signs in opposition to the absurd and draconian ban of a domestic direct action group. We hope you make the right choice to not arrest those taking part, and correctly deploy counter-terrorism resources this weekend.”

Protesters are calling on the Government to reverse the ban on Palestine Action. The letter adds: “It is unfortunate that the Home Office has not decided to rescind the ban in the wake of the ever-growing defiance and has chosen instead to put an increasing and unnecessary strain on police resources.

"According to your letter, it appears the political oversight in proscribing Palestine Action, which aimed to save lives in Palestine, is taking away from the police protecting the community from those who seek to take lives." A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "The horrific terrorist attack that took place in Manchester on Thursday morning will have caused significant fear and concern in communities across the UK, including here in London.

"Yet at a time when we want to be deploying every available officer to ensure the safety of those communities, we are instead having to plan for a gathering of more than 1,000 people in Trafalgar Square on Saturday in support of a terrorist organisation. By choosing to encourage mass law breaking on this scale, Defend Our Juries are drawing resources away from the communities of London at a time when they are needed most.

"We urge them to do the responsible thing and delay or cancel their plans."