FEAR of ugly scenes marring commemorative events has fueled pleas to put our heroes first and honor them with the dignity they deserve.
Veterans, military leaders and lawmakers pleaded for respect tonight after a fourth straight weekend of protests over the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
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Veterans, military commanders and lawmakers pleaded for respect amid fears pro-Palestinian protests would mar commemorative eventsCredit: Getty
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Next Sunday a service of remembrance will be held at the Cenotaph in WhitehallCredit: Getty
War heroes have called for the cancellation of a pro-Palestinian march over Remembrance weekend, demanding: “Show some respect”.
Met boss Sir Mark Rowley has also been called on to ensure services for our war dead are not “hijacked” following the weekend’s chaos.
Sergeant Jay Baldwin, 38, who lost his legs in Afghanistan, said: “What is happening in the Middle East is terrible.
“But next weekend we remember those who fell defending our freedom and life as it is today – this is no time for political protests.”
READ MORE ABOUT THE PROTESTS
Former Staff Sergeant Wayne Ingram, 54, added: “I feel appalled that these protests are continuing.
“Those who participate need to show some respect for our veterans.
“If anything has happened to war memorials across the country, it could be an introduction to the veterans who set out to be so angry.”
Hundreds of thousands could attend next Saturday’s pro-Palestinian Million March.
Organizers were urged to cancel it due to fears it would disrupt the earlier Armistice Day Two-Minute Silence, at 11am.
Home Affairs Minister Suella Braverman faced calls to ban the rally and police officers resisted efforts to stop it.
Police have been told to use all their powers to ensure that train stations are not blocked by protests.
The families of the heroes will also go to the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, plus Sunday’s service of remembrance at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
A total of 29 people were arrested on Saturday in the capital, and six of them were charged in court.
Five were held on Friday during a sit-in protest at King’s Cross station. Pro-Palestinian protesters attacked poppy sellers at Charing Cross station, while other protesters disrupted centers in Manchester and Glasgow.
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Former Chief of the General Staff Lord Dannatt said it was vital that Remembrance Sunday events continued without interruptionCredit: Getty
Lord Dannatt, former Chief of the General Staff, told The Sun: “It is vital that Armistice Day commemorations on Saturday and Remembrance Sunday events continue without interruption.
“This includes directing all marches away from Whitehall so that their noise does not disturb the Two Minutes Silence.”
Tory Tobias Ellwood, who served in the Royal Green Jackets, warned: “Any form of national demonstration that overshadows our nation’s moment of reflection is provocative and completely unacceptable.
“The organizers need to show some respect.”
Transport Minister Mark Harper has given the go-ahead for officers to arrest protesters following the King’s Cross demonstration.
A source close to him said tonight: “Attempts to use stations as places to cause disruption and intimidate passengers are unacceptable.”
Tory Greg Smith said: “It is incomprehensible that these rallies and protests calling for Israel to surrender to terrorists have been allowed to disrupt people’s lives by blocking train stations and more.
“We need a strong crackdown on such activities.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wrote to Met Police Chief Sir Mark Rowley on Friday saying the planned action was “provocative and disrespectful”.
Officers can demand that the gatherings be banned, but the move must be sanctioned by Ms Braverman and the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
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Falklands veteran Simon Weston said it was time for politicians to change the law to make protesting on Remembrance Sunday illegal Credit: Rex Features
Falklands veteran Simon Weston said: “This is the only time of year politicians pay attention to veterans, for God’s sake.
“And it’s time they changed the law to make protesting on Remembrance Sunday illegal.”
Rear Admiral Chris Parry told The Sun that Sir Mark should consider his position at the Met if there was serious disruption to the Remembrance weekend.
Mr Parry added: “It would be a complete affront to our way of life and our institutions.
“The problem at the moment is that the law is not enforced, because I doubt the police are capable of controlling these large mobs.”
Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden revealed “serious concerns” about future protests.
He said: “At a time which is designed to solemnly remember the sacrifice of previous generations and uphold our British values, the police must think very carefully about the safety of these demonstrations.
“Namely, can it spill over into violent protests and the signal it sends to the Jewish community in particular.”
Meanwhile, Ms Braverman warned that anyone who desecrates the Cenotaph should be “put in a jail cell faster than their feet can touch the ground”.
The Royal British Legion said: “Whilst we respect people’s right to protest within the law, the Poppy Appeal is a time to remember and we hope that the events will go ahead without interruption.
“At this time we are not aware of any potential protests during the memorial event.”
Other veterans called for respect. Former army officer Jim Wilde, 68, said: “Remembrance Day and the Cenotaph are two things that all soldiers and veterans hold close to their hearts.
“Holding any kind of parade on this day is completely unacceptable to veterans all over the world.
“Our police must be firm, fair and forceful in policing this event and ensure that politics does not hijack this holy day.”
Former soldier Derek Hunt, 72, added: “Protesters should think twice about protesting on Remembrance Sunday.”
The walk on Saturday will start almost two hours after the silence.
Tonight, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign said it had “no intention of marching on or near Whitehall” on Saturday, with no protests planned for Sunday.
The group said: “Given these facts, we are disturbed by statements from members of the Government, including the Prime Minister, suggesting that the march is a direct threat to the Cenotaph and is designed to disrupt Remembrance Sunday commemorations.
“Such statements encourage calls from far-right activists and commentators who appear to be calling for action in the streets to stop the protests that are taking place and are deeply irresponsible.”
Let’s pay our respects in peace
Simon Weston, Falklands veteran
Millions of SOLDIERS and women have died for people’s right to protest.
This is part of the freedom that all of us veterans fought for.
Most people feel great empathy and compassion for what is happening to innocent people on both sides of the conflict between Hamas and Israel.
But we must also have the right to remember our dead in peace and have the legal protection of Armistice Day.
Politicians must stand up and be counted now.
Home Affairs Minister Suella Braverman said anyone who damages or desecrates any war memorial will be jailed.
But every mayor in the country should be saying that it is not acceptable to disrupt a service of peaceful remembrance.
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