UK: Civil rights activists to protest police brutality in London Jan. 16

Event

Civil rights activists plan to protest in central London Jan. 16 to denounce alleged police brutality following the death of Mohamud Hassan shortly after his release from police custody in Cardiff Jan. 9. Participants will gather at Parliament Square from 1700; attendance is unclear but could exceed 100.

Additional police will likely deploy to monitor the action; related security measures could prompt localized transport disruptions in the area. Current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) measures in the UK restrict public gatherings; police may attempt to disperse activists if they are deemed to be breaching these restrictions. Isolated clashes between activists and police cannot be ruled out.

Context

Anti-police brutality protests affiliated with the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement have taken place in Cardiff Jan. 12-13 in response to the incident. While an official investigation into Hassan's death is underway, civil rights activists have vowed to continue demonstrating. Accordingly, further protests over this issue are likely.

Advice

Avoid the protest as a routine security precaution and to mitigate associated disruptions. Heed instructions from police and leave the area at the first sign of a confrontation. Check for disruptions before travel in the area around Parliament Square the evening of Jan. 16.