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The Home Secretary has agreed to ban an Iran-linked march<\/a> in central London, but a \u201cstatic\u201d protest is set to go ahead.<\/p>\n On her decision to ban the march, Shabana Mahmood<\/a> said she was \u201csatisfied doing so is necessary to prevent serious public disorder, due to the scale of the protest and multiple counter-protests, in the context of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East\u201d.<\/p>\n It is the first time a protest march has been banned since 2012.<\/p>\n Labour MPs had asked the Home Secretary<\/a> to ban the Al Quds Day march, claiming it is \u201ca hate march\u201d which platforms anti-semitism and extremism. <\/p>\n Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley also asked for the march to be banned because of a \u201creal risk of serious violence and disorder\u201d. <\/p>\n A pro-Iranian regime protest outside the US embassy in south London<\/p>\n PA Wire<\/p>\n Police chiefs believe the demonstration could potentially attract 12,000 people or more.<\/p>\n At least a thousand officers from the Metropolitan Police and forces around the country are being drafted in to patrol the crowds, with more made available if needed.<\/p>\n For the first time, the Met will use the Thames as a physical barrier to separate protesters.<\/p>\n All protests and counter-protests will take place between Vauxhall and Lambeth bridges, and are permitted between 1pm and 3pm, the Met said.<\/p>\n Counter-protesters can assemble on the Millbank side of the Thames. Lambeth Bridge will be closed, with access only for emergency vehicles.<\/p>\n The protest, named after the Arabic word for Jerusalem, is held annually in London<\/a> and is a part of a wider international event to express support for Palestine and opposition to Israel<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more than a decade, the event has riled tensions between political groups, politicians and protesters in the capital, with many calling for a ban. <\/p>\n The event was first held in Iran in 1979 by former Iran Supreme leader Ruhollah Khomeini after the Iranian<\/a> Revolution but has expanded across the world with rallies held in the US, the UK<\/a>, and parts of Europe.<\/p>\n The Al Quds protest in March last year<\/p>\n Jonathan Brady\/PA Wire<\/p>\n It comes as the conflict between Iran and the US and Israel rages across the Middle East.<\/p>\n Here is everything we know about the event:<\/p>\n When was the event meant to take place?<\/p>\n Thousands of protesters had planned to gather outside the Home Office <\/a>before marching through central London<\/a>.<\/p>\n Is a protest still going ahead?<\/p>\n IHRC have said that a \u201cstatic protest\u201d will go ahead on Sunday.<\/p>\n The group said in an Instagram story: \u201cIHRC strongly condemns the decision by the Metropolitan Police to ban the Al Quds Day March.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever a static Al Quds Day protest will still go ahead,\u201d organisers wrote, adding: \u201cWe hope to see you on Sunday 15th March InshaAllah.\u201d<\/p>\n Lord Walney said there was a “loophole” in legislation that restricts ministers from stopping rallies that remain in one location. <\/p>\n The former independent adviser on political violence told the Press Association: “It was the right decision to ban this due to the risk of serious disorder, but it’s not clear how that risk would be substantially lessened if they go ahead with a static protest.<\/p>\n “It is a loophole, and given the volatility of the situation which is already spilling over to British streets, I hope this is an issue that the Home Secretary will look at urgently.”<\/p>\n “So this does highlight the loophole in our public order legislation, which is well-intentioned due to the freedom of assembly.<\/p>\n “But that freedom is not absolute, and in exceptional cases like this, it makes sense for the police to be able to recommend that a large, static protest doesn’t go ahead either.<\/p>\n “It is a loophole, and given the volatility of the situation which is already spilling over to British streets, I hope this is an issue that the Home Secretary will look at urgently.”<\/p>\n Following the ban, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: \u201cShould a stationary demonstration proceed, the police will be able to apply strict conditions.<\/p>\n \u201cI expect to see the full force of the law applied to anyone spreading hatred and division instead of exercising their right to peaceful protest.\u201d<\/p>\n Have there been problems at previous rallies?<\/p>\n Yes, and there has always been a high police presence at the annual event.<\/p>\n It is feared that this year could be the biggest risk yet given the ongoing conflict.<\/p>\n Previous editions of the event have seen protesters carrying flags of Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Lebanese terrorist group and shout chants such as, \u201cDeath to Israel. Death to America.\u201d<\/p>\n Who called for the rally to be cancelled?<\/p>\n![\"iran](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/be3290f2cc1a065d9d07ccf546c1ff54Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzcyOTg4Mzk2-2.83770978.jpg\")
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