Latest news with #Tatchell
Metro
29-05-2025
- Metro
Peter Tatchell 'laughed at by police before being removed' from Birmingham Pride
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A veteran LGBTQ+ rights campaigner has claimed he was 'forcibly removed' from Birmingham Pride after police 'laughed' at him. Peter Tatchell, 73, said an officer ordered him to leave the Pride parade, claiming event organisers had requested his removal. Pride organisers have denied this, stressing to Metro that they permitted Tatchell to march. Tatchell gave a speech at the start of the parade in the West Midlands city on Saturday morning where he spoke about the arrests of gay and bisexual men before homosexuality was decriminalised in 2004. He was using a loudhailer and holding a sign reading: 'West Midlands police refuse to apologise for anti-LGBT+ witch-hunts. SHAME! #ApologiseNow' during the march. About an hour later, he set off on the march. The campaigner said he and five others from the Peter Tatchell Foundation were walking down New Street when they saw several police officers approach them. The activist said a senior officer told him to leave, saying he did not have a permit. He added he was then 'frog marched' out of the parade. With thousands of members from all over the world, our vibrant LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel is a hub for all the latest news and important issues that face the LGBTQ+ community. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications! Speaking to Metro, Tatchell said: 'The police response was to crowd around me, blowing whistles, so my message could not be heard. 'What was particularly upsetting was when I told the story of how two men attempted suicide because of police prosecution. The officers laughed in my face.' Tatchell said: 'I showed him my wristband and said, 'Here's proof I have permission, plus, I am a guest, so they would never instruct me to leave'. 'I asked the officer what the name of the Pride organiser who instructed you to remove me was. No answer.' Photographs and video taken at the parade show officers leading Tatchell out of the parade, holding him by the arms and forcing him forward. He was not arrested. Tatchell said: 'The officers dumped me on the pavement. I got the very strong impression that, if I had further resisted, I would have been arrested. 'It's sadly typical of the way in which the police across Britain are increasingly clamping down on freedom of expression and the right to protest. 'I'm just astonished that the police would dare abuse their power to fabricate allegations and to stop me making a lawful criticism.' Birmingham Pride CEO Lawrence Barton said 'categorically' that organisers allowed Tatchell to march. Barton told Metro: 'Peter was an invited guest speaker to Pride, he was asked by me to speak at the Big Free Community event and at Centenary Square to officially launch Pride. 'His foundation was officially booked through our official process. Peter's call for an apology from [West Midlands Police] is a position I support.' Before being gay was fully decriminalised, UK police forces routinely raided nightclubs, bars and saunas, particularly in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Officers held stakeouts in parks and public toilets to arrest queer people for 'gross indecency', while some were convicted for public displays of affection under public order and breach of the peace laws. West Midlands Police has not formally apologised for the decades-old arrests, unlike other forces such as the Met Police. Chief Constable Craig Guildford declined to do so in 2023 when asked by Tatchell, saying the police were responsible for enforcing laws which would be viewed 'very differently today'. Tatchell said: 'There were probably 50 officers marching in the parade. Not a single one at any point expressed sorrow or regret about the way in which the LGBTQ+ community had been ill-treated in the past.' Marching alongside Tatchell was Matthew Lloyd, a member of the inclusive faith group Queer Church Birmingham. The former national co-chair of LGBT+ Labour told Metro that calling on the West Midlands Police to apologise is a 'long-standing demand in our community'. He said: 'It's disgraceful that officers forcibly removed Peter from the parade – especially under the false claim that Pride organisers had asked for it. 'This heavy-handed policing reflects a deeper problem: a lack of understanding of Pride as a protest and a deafness to the police's own history when dealing with the queer community, our venues and our safe spaces.' More Trending The force told Metro: 'We assisted security staff at the event with the removal of a man who made his way amongst people who were taking part in the parade. He was not arrested.' Asked about allegations that officers 'laughed' at Tatchell, the police said: 'West Midlands Police have not received a complaint about this but we are open to listen to any which are formally made to us.' Ahead of the parade, the police said that officers will be 'out and about keeping you safe at Birmingham Pride'. Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby said: 'Our officers are there to support you, so please do speak to them if you have any concerns about safety – or feel free to just say hello.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Pillion review – I experienced one of the filthiest films I've ever seen at Cannes MORE: Plans to ban Pride events in Hungary criticised by 17 other countries MORE: 'Humanising trans people is so important right now – our BBC series does that'
North Wales Chronicle
18-05-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Palestine campaign used police to silence my Hamas criticism
The Metropolitan Police said the human rights campaigner was arrested in 'error' at a march in London on Saturday after 'concerns were raised with officers by stewards from the Palestine Coalition protest'. Mr Tatchell, 73, was taking part in a protest organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign to commemorate Nakba Day and was carrying a placard which read 'Stop Israel genocide! Stop Hamas executions!'. He said he had attended the protest to 'condemn Israel's genocide in Gaza, but also to expose Hamas's execution of Palestinian critics'. Mr Tatchell told the PA news agency: 'I find it shocking that the campaign, which I have supported for 54 years, would seek to use the police to silence my criticism of Hamas. 'My placard clearly condemned Israel's genocide and supported freedom for Palestine.' Discussing the protest, the activist said: 'Before the march started, I was abused, menaced and threatened by a minority of protesters. 'Some said 'f*** off', others said 'get out of here' and accused me of being 'Zionist scum'. 'Despite me being threatened, the police stood by and did nothing. I was frightened for my safety, but the police did not intervene.' Mr Tatchell said Palestine Solidarity Campaign stewards then wrongly told police that he had been shouting 'Hamas are terrorists', adding that officers told him shouting such a slogan 'was a potential criminal offence'. The activist said he was then approached by a police officer who wrongly believed him to be 'part of a counter protest' and was subsequently arrested for a racially and religiously aggravated breach of the peace under the Public Order Act. Mr Tatchell said: 'The police singled me out from all the hundreds of people marching in that section, they told me that I had to stop and when I asked why, they said they'd been requested to remove me by stewards from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. 'The Palestine Solidarity Campaign has questions to answer. Did they collude with the police to have me arrested and why do they refuse to tolerate criticism of Hamas by supporters of Palestine? 'It's outrageous that criticising Hamas's human rights abuses can get you arrested in Britain in 2025.' The Metropolitan Police said Mr Tatchell would face no further action and that it would review its 'handling of the incident to fully understand what took place'. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'Mr Tatchell was initially detained after concerns were raised with officers by stewards from the Palestine Coalition protest. 'Officers spoke with him and, believing him to be a counter protester, directed him to join the counter protest in its designated area. 'When he attempted to rejoin the Palestine Coalition protest he was arrested on suspicion of breaching the conditions in place and to prevent a breach of the peace. 'While officers were acting in good faith based on the information they had received at the time, we now understand that Mr Tatchell was legitimately participating in the Palestine Coalition protest and was not in breach of any conditions. 'He was released from custody at the earliest opportunity once officers realised that an error had been made.' The Palestine Solidarity Campaign was approached for comment.
South Wales Guardian
18-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Palestine campaign used police to silence my Hamas criticism
The Metropolitan Police said the human rights campaigner was arrested in 'error' at a march in London on Saturday after 'concerns were raised with officers by stewards from the Palestine Coalition protest'. Mr Tatchell, 73, was taking part in a protest organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign to commemorate Nakba Day and was carrying a placard which read 'Stop Israel genocide! Stop Hamas executions!'. He said he had attended the protest to 'condemn Israel's genocide in Gaza, but also to expose Hamas's execution of Palestinian critics'. Mr Tatchell told the PA news agency: 'I find it shocking that the campaign, which I have supported for 54 years, would seek to use the police to silence my criticism of Hamas. 'My placard clearly condemned Israel's genocide and supported freedom for Palestine.' Discussing the protest, the activist said: 'Before the march started, I was abused, menaced and threatened by a minority of protesters. 'Some said 'f*** off', others said 'get out of here' and accused me of being 'Zionist scum'. 'Despite me being threatened, the police stood by and did nothing. I was frightened for my safety, but the police did not intervene.' Mr Tatchell said Palestine Solidarity Campaign stewards then wrongly told police that he had been shouting 'Hamas are terrorists', adding that officers told him shouting such a slogan 'was a potential criminal offence'. The activist said he was then approached by a police officer who wrongly believed him to be 'part of a counter protest' and was subsequently arrested for a racially and religiously aggravated breach of the peace under the Public Order Act. Mr Tatchell said: 'The police singled me out from all the hundreds of people marching in that section, they told me that I had to stop and when I asked why, they said they'd been requested to remove me by stewards from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. 'The Palestine Solidarity Campaign has questions to answer. Did they collude with the police to have me arrested and why do they refuse to tolerate criticism of Hamas by supporters of Palestine? 'It's outrageous that criticising Hamas's human rights abuses can get you arrested in Britain in 2025.' The Metropolitan Police said Mr Tatchell would face no further action and that it would review its 'handling of the incident to fully understand what took place'. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'Mr Tatchell was initially detained after concerns were raised with officers by stewards from the Palestine Coalition protest. 'Officers spoke with him and, believing him to be a counter protester, directed him to join the counter protest in its designated area. 'When he attempted to rejoin the Palestine Coalition protest he was arrested on suspicion of breaching the conditions in place and to prevent a breach of the peace. 'While officers were acting in good faith based on the information they had received at the time, we now understand that Mr Tatchell was legitimately participating in the Palestine Coalition protest and was not in breach of any conditions. 'He was released from custody at the earliest opportunity once officers realised that an error had been made.' The Palestine Solidarity Campaign was approached for comment.
Leader Live
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Palestine campaign used police to silence my Hamas criticism
The Metropolitan Police said the human rights campaigner was arrested in 'error' at a march in London on Saturday after 'concerns were raised with officers by stewards from the Palestine Coalition protest'. Mr Tatchell, 73, was taking part in a protest organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign to commemorate Nakba Day and was carrying a placard which read 'Stop Israel genocide! Stop Hamas executions!'. He said he had attended the protest to 'condemn Israel's genocide in Gaza, but also to expose Hamas's execution of Palestinian critics'. Mr Tatchell told the PA news agency: 'I find it shocking that the campaign, which I have supported for 54 years, would seek to use the police to silence my criticism of Hamas. 'My placard clearly condemned Israel's genocide and supported freedom for Palestine.' Discussing the protest, the activist said: 'Before the march started, I was abused, menaced and threatened by a minority of protesters. 'Some said 'f*** off', others said 'get out of here' and accused me of being 'Zionist scum'. 'Despite me being threatened, the police stood by and did nothing. I was frightened for my safety, but the police did not intervene.' Mr Tatchell said Palestine Solidarity Campaign stewards then wrongly told police that he had been shouting 'Hamas are terrorists', adding that officers told him shouting such a slogan 'was a potential criminal offence'. The activist said he was then approached by a police officer who wrongly believed him to be 'part of a counter protest' and was subsequently arrested for a racially and religiously aggravated breach of the peace under the Public Order Act. Mr Tatchell said: 'The police singled me out from all the hundreds of people marching in that section, they told me that I had to stop and when I asked why, they said they'd been requested to remove me by stewards from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. 'The Palestine Solidarity Campaign has questions to answer. Did they collude with the police to have me arrested and why do they refuse to tolerate criticism of Hamas by supporters of Palestine? 'It's outrageous that criticising Hamas's human rights abuses can get you arrested in Britain in 2025.' The Metropolitan Police said Mr Tatchell would face no further action and that it would review its 'handling of the incident to fully understand what took place'. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'Mr Tatchell was initially detained after concerns were raised with officers by stewards from the Palestine Coalition protest. 'Officers spoke with him and, believing him to be a counter protester, directed him to join the counter protest in its designated area. 'When he attempted to rejoin the Palestine Coalition protest he was arrested on suspicion of breaching the conditions in place and to prevent a breach of the peace. 'While officers were acting in good faith based on the information they had received at the time, we now understand that Mr Tatchell was legitimately participating in the Palestine Coalition protest and was not in breach of any conditions. 'He was released from custody at the earliest opportunity once officers realised that an error had been made.' The Palestine Solidarity Campaign was approached for comment.
Rhyl Journal
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Palestine campaign used police to silence my Hamas criticism
The Metropolitan Police said the human rights campaigner was arrested in 'error' at a march in London on Saturday after 'concerns were raised with officers by stewards from the Palestine Coalition protest'. Mr Tatchell, 73, was taking part in a protest organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign to commemorate Nakba Day and was carrying a placard which read 'Stop Israel genocide! Stop Hamas executions!'. He said he had attended the protest to 'condemn Israel's genocide in Gaza, but also to expose Hamas's execution of Palestinian critics'. Mr Tatchell told the PA news agency: 'I find it shocking that the campaign, which I have supported for 54 years, would seek to use the police to silence my criticism of Hamas. 'My placard clearly condemned Israel's genocide and supported freedom for Palestine.' Discussing the protest, the activist said: 'Before the march started, I was abused, menaced and threatened by a minority of protesters. 'Some said 'f*** off', others said 'get out of here' and accused me of being 'Zionist scum'. 'Despite me being threatened, the police stood by and did nothing. I was frightened for my safety, but the police did not intervene.' Mr Tatchell said Palestine Solidarity Campaign stewards then wrongly told police that he had been shouting 'Hamas are terrorists', adding that officers told him shouting such a slogan 'was a potential criminal offence'. The activist said he was then approached by a police officer who wrongly believed him to be 'part of a counter protest' and was subsequently arrested for a racially and religiously aggravated breach of the peace under the Public Order Act. Mr Tatchell said: 'The police singled me out from all the hundreds of people marching in that section, they told me that I had to stop and when I asked why, they said they'd been requested to remove me by stewards from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. 'The Palestine Solidarity Campaign has questions to answer. Did they collude with the police to have me arrested and why do they refuse to tolerate criticism of Hamas by supporters of Palestine? 'It's outrageous that criticising Hamas's human rights abuses can get you arrested in Britain in 2025.' The Metropolitan Police said Mr Tatchell would face no further action and that it would review its 'handling of the incident to fully understand what took place'. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'Mr Tatchell was initially detained after concerns were raised with officers by stewards from the Palestine Coalition protest. 'Officers spoke with him and, believing him to be a counter protester, directed him to join the counter protest in its designated area. 'When he attempted to rejoin the Palestine Coalition protest he was arrested on suspicion of breaching the conditions in place and to prevent a breach of the peace. 'While officers were acting in good faith based on the information they had received at the time, we now understand that Mr Tatchell was legitimately participating in the Palestine Coalition protest and was not in breach of any conditions. 'He was released from custody at the earliest opportunity once officers realised that an error had been made.' The Palestine Solidarity Campaign was approached for comment.
