A series of protests targeting political events in the UK over issues related to Israel and Palestine led to disruptions at local council meetings and political fundraisers. In Walsall, a council meeting was abandoned after protesters, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, caused a disruption on Thursday evening. The incident, described by Walsall Council leader Mike Bird as 'mob rule taking over the democratic process,' prompted police intervention. Similarly, a Conservative fundraising dinner in Stoke-on-Trent was disrupted by pro-Palestine activists, including Islamists & Free Palestine activists, leading to accusations of intimidation and harassment against the attendees. The protesters, described as 'peaceful' by some, were accused of yelling 'you support Genocide' and 'shame on you', disrupting the democratic process. The incidents have sparked a debate on the impact of such protests on local democracy and the conduct of political events, with questions raised about the role of @StaffsPolice in managing the situation.
This is the moment @StaffsPolice let in pro-Palestine thugs into a restaurant in Stoke, which was hosting a Conservative fundraiser. They went onto the accuse those present of being Zionists complicit in genocide in Israel. https://t.co/QFVFBJ3VgO
Can @StaffsPolice answer as to why let allowed this intimating mob into the restaurant where the Stoke-on-Trent Conservative fundraiser took place? This uncivil bunch were clearly just intended to harass people. https://t.co/pwVHrQBFFQ https://t.co/qDPmlfiDW7
A council meeting in Walsall was interrupted by pro-Palestinian thugs. Leader Tory Mike Bird: "It's disgraceful, we seem to be descending into mob rule. Nothing that we can do as a council would influence the situation in the Middle East". More rule of the mob. https://t.co/vgTWh2mMj3
Here is CCTV of the initial wave of pro-Palestinian protestors entering the venue where the Conservative fund-raising dinner was being held in Stoke-on-Trent. Note the police officer on the door and his discussions with the demonstrators as they arrived to confront guests. https://t.co/3dHNSpqQTm
The mob arrives at a local Conservative fundraising dinner in Stoke-on-Trent and tries to bully them. Deeply disturbing. Shameful scenes https://t.co/YNxioAyszj
Yesterday evening, Stoke-on-Trent Conservatives held a re-election fundraising dinner disrupted by a pro Palestine mob. Yelling “you support Genocide” and “shame on you” isn’t an argument. It’s intimidation. This isn’t what democracy should look like in a civilised society. https://t.co/e5fyMCzSnp
Anti-Israel protesters continue their tour of political intimidation in the UK. This time they visited the Walsall City Council, threatening local politicians for not condemning Israel. The council meeting had to be abandoned. 🇬🇧🇮🇱 https://t.co/ie7SNaDvUL
Last night, Walsall Council meeting was disrupted by Islamists & Free Palestine activists. The council meeting wasn’t able to continue. This is what intimidation & mob rule. @SadiqKhan is it ok for @SuellaBraverman to condemn this or will you be calling her Enoch Powell again? https://t.co/9OqgKhREOl
Democracy is in peril. Last night, Walsall Council was unable to hold its regular meeting because a 'peaceful' mob turned up screaming their heads off about Gaza, the police had to come out. This week, both national and local democracy have been cancelled. https://t.co/m2vDrQJ7FW
Walsall Council meeting was abandoned after a protest was launched by people calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. The interruption from the public gallery was on Thursday evening. "I saw mob rule taking over the democratic process," said leader Mike Bird. https://t.co/9b5aPCP5AV