Party Banned from Demonstrating in Immigrant-Dense Area

A protest march organized by the UK Independence Party, UKIP, in an immigrant and Muslim-majority neighborhood has been stopped by police. The reason given is fear of counter-protests. At the same time, authorities promise to arrest anyone who still shows up.

In October, the British police banned a planned UKIP demonstration in Tower Hamlets in East London that had been named the Mass Deportation Tour. At that time, it was stopped due to the risk of “serious disturbances.”

A large group of Bangladeshi men, masked with balaclavas, then went out onto the streets of Tower Hamlets and promised to “defend their community.” This led Nigel Farage – former UKIP leader and now with Reform UK – to describe the incident as one of the most frightening things he had ever seen.

UKIP then chose another area through West London and accused the police of yielding to Islamists and violating their democratic right to assemble.

A second demonstration called Walk with Jesus was planned for January 31 but has also now been stopped. According to police, it would be “reckless” to allow the demonstration in Whitechapel, citing the risk of violence and disorder. Whitechapel is home to one of the largest Muslim communities in the UK.

Tower Hamlets in London. Photo: Collingwood House, Tower Hamlets, London by Ian S, CC BY-SA 2.0

“Hostile Reactions”

Deputy Police Commissioner James Harman admits that the ban is largely due to the risk of a “hostile reaction” from the local community and the possibility of “serious violence, disruption, and unrest.”

– It was a sight of hundreds of young men dressed all in black, with hoods and masks on, and we understand it was a striking image, and we understand that someone may have found it frightening.

– But on their own, that group committed no crimes. If it happens again, of course we will monitor it closely and deal with any criminality.

Will Arrest Those Who Show Up

At the same time, he denies that the ban is for political reasons or because someone may be offended. Authorities now prefer that UKIP chooses another location.

– We have encouraged them to consider the very real likelihood that their presence in Whitechapel could lead to serious disruption, serious unrest and to consider an alternative proposal, an alternative location.

He said that if anyone defied the restrictions and still showed up at the demonstration, they would be arrested.