Met Police urge students to move 7 October protest

The Metropolitan Police is calling on the organisers of a pro-Palestinian student march planned to take place on the third anniversary of the 7 October attacks on Israel to move the event.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman said the force had been unable to identify the organisers behind the group, which calls itself the University of London Coalition.

He said that while the march did not meet the strict legal threshold at which police could request the home secretary to ban a protest, many Londoners would be marking "a day of mourning" with vigils to remember those who died.

The BBC has contacted the group for comment via social media accounts they appear to be associated with.

Harman said around 300 students were expected to march through central London, from King's College London in the Strand on Wednesday, finishing at University College London in Holborn.

He said they had demanded an end to what they described as a "genocide in Gaza".

"Serious concerns have been expressed about the impact of this march on students and staff, particularly those who are Jewish, the route, and the day it is being held," Harman said.

He urged anyone intending to join the protest to "reflect on the impact and distress it will cause on this very significant day, and exercise your right to protest on a different date".

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