Protesters who climb on war memorials could potentially face three months in prison and a £1,000 fine under proposed measures by the Home Secretary.
James Cleverly, while announcing the plans, described ascending memorials as “an insult” that “cannot continue.”
Last year, the Cabinet minister pledged to explore granting police additional authority to safeguard remembrance sites following an incident where pro-Palestine demonstrators climbed on the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner in London after a rally outside Parliament on Nov. 15.
Downing Street characterized the behavior at the time as an “affront,” yet Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley stated that arresting protesters for scaling the memorial would have been unlawful.
The Home Office has announced new plans to criminalize such activity, making climbing on war memorials a specific public order offense. This measure aims to prevent protesters from disrespecting those who have sacrificed their lives for our country.
