Anger as pro-Palestinian supporters deface war memorial as Manchester police stand guard
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.
4
4
4
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.
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.
Fears are growing that far-right thugs who want to “protect” London’s landmarks, including the capital’s Cenotaph, could descend.
A source told this Daily Mail: “The protest alone is difficult 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.
The Met Police are urging protesters to “urgently reconsider” any demonstrations over the ceasefire weekend.
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.
4