Pro-Palestine protesters have defaced a war memorial in Manchester as police stand guard to protect the landmark.
The Cenotaph monument in Rochdale is currently under police patrols and CCTV after two incidents occurred at the site this week.
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The memorial in Rochdale is currently under police patrols and CCTV following two incidents at the site this week. Source: MEN Media
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Protesters defaced the base of the Manchester Cenotaph, dedicated to brave soldiers who lost their lives in the First World War
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The Met Police are under pressure to cancel pro-Palestinian protests in London this weekend amid rising tensionsCredit: AFP
In the second attack in just a few days, demonstrators daubed the war memorial with “Free Palestine” on Tuesday.
With the slogan, demonstrators defaced the base of the cenotaph, which is dedicated to brave soldiers who lost their lives in the First World War.
Manchester Police promised after Tuesday’s incident that normality would be “restored as quickly as possible” there, but is currently considering making the site a crime scene.
Fears are also growing that far-right thugs seeking to “protect” London’s landmarks, including the capital’s Cenotaph, could raid over the Armistice weekend.
Two teenagers – who cannot be named – have been charged with intentional or negligent public harassment following another incident just a day earlier.
The response to Tuesday’s attack, which was reported just after 4pm, is ongoing as police investigate.
Chief Superintendent Nicky Porter, District Commander of GMP Rochdale, said: “We, like communities across Rochdale, are deeply saddened by the events at the Cenotaph.”
“The memorial is a particularly poignant reminder of those who gave their lives for our country, especially at this time of year.
“We will not tolerate criminal disrespect for the city’s Memorial Gardens and I hope the actions we have already taken in response to these two incidents will convince our communities of this.”
It comes less than a week after wreaths were removed from the cenotaph and replaced with Palestine flags.
Online footage showed a man picking it up and putting it back in its proper place.
The Metropolitan Police are under pressure to cancel pro-Palestinian protests in London this weekend amid fears of an outbreak of violence.
The Met Police have urged protesters to “urgently reconsider” any demonstrations in London over the Armistice weekend.
There are reports that thugs could descend on the city to “protect” London’s landmarks, further inflaming already heightened tensions.
A source told the Daily Mail: “The protest alone is sensitive enough, but they believe gangs of hooligans will band together and protect the cenotaph.”
“Officers from all over the country are coming to help.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called the protests “provocative and disrespectful,” particularly on Armistice Day, the day the First World War ended.
An emergency Cobra meeting was even called at No10 on Tuesday, attended by police chiefs and intelligence officers.
Senior police met with organizers from several groups of protesters on Monday to discuss growing concerns.
They refused to postpone demonstrations.
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There are fears that far-right thugs could descend on the capital this weekend to “protect” landmarks such as the London Cenotaph. Photo credit: Getty
Source : www.thesun.co.uk