A group of civil society organisations are seeking assurances from the Metropolitan Police that the force will take a more common sense and less heavy-handed approach to pro-Palestine demonstrations in the capital.

In a joint letter to the Met chief, Sir Mark Rowley, the 14 organisations question the politicised way in which protests are being handled which they say risks eroding public confidence in the police.

The letter comes after the recent dismissal of a prosecution against a pro-Palestine protestor who was arrested and charged with failing to comply with a requirement to remove a face covering at a protest on October 14, 2023.

On 28 Feb this year, the City of London Magistrate’s Court dismissed the case against Ibrahim Hlaiyil, 38, saying there was no evidence to support a prosecution. The trial is summarised here.

The Metropolitan Police publicised and portrayed this arrest as part of a crackdown on violent protesters. However, the dismissal of the charge against Hlaiyil highlights both the heavy-handed and politicised way in which pro-Palestine protests are being policed in the capital.

The full text of the letter can be read here.

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