Flags of Anti-Semitic groups were flown at recent protests despite powers to remove them
The Mayor and Metropolitan police should use their powers to arrest individuals flying terrorist flags at protests, marches, and rallies in London, says London Assembly member Kemi Badenoch.
At the July 3rd annual ‘al-Quds Day’ rally through central London, Hezbollah flags were repeatedly seen. Hezbollah is listed in the UK as an illegal terrorist organisation that promotes Anti-Semitic beliefs.
In 2013, using powers granted by Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000, two men were arrested for displaying Hezbollah flags. Kemi Badenoch would like the Metropolitan Police to exercise these arrest powers whenever these flags are seen.
Conservative London Assembly member Kemi Badenoch said:
“London is the most open and diverse city in the world and should not promote expressions of hatred and intolerance.
“The fact that Hezbollah flags were seen to be flown at a rally in London is truly shocking.
“Flying the Hezbollah flag is illegal, they are a terrorist organisation that promotes Anti-Semitism, and the police should use their powers to stop this message of hate.
“The Mayor has promised a ‘zero tolerance approach to anti-Semitism’, and I will be urging him to take these flags off London’s streets.”
Kemi Badenoch will be asking the Mayor of London at a public meeting on the 20th of July 2016 at City Hall why the Hezbollah flag was not taken down at the ‘al-Quds Day’ rally, and also be asking for the arrest of anyone who flies this flag in the future.
Notes to editors
Chris Hewett
Senior press officer
Gordon Cameron
Press officer