London Marathon boss urges pro-Palestine and Israel protesters to skip event as ... trends now
London Marathon director, Hugh Brasher, has urged potential Pro-Palestine and Israel protesters not to disrupt the event this weekend.
More than 50,000 adult runners are expected to finish the annual race this Sunday, with more than 500,000 young people taking part in the Mini London marathon.
Mr Brasher has confirmed multiple security measures are in place to protect runners and spectators, but said he hoped the focus would be on 'coexistence and togetherness'.
He said: 'What we've always tried to do is bring people together. Coexistence and togetherness is what the London Marathon is all about,' according to the Evening Standard.
'And we hope that message will resonate with anyone who thinks it is a good thing to disrupt the race, because it isn't.'
He confirmed there are people running for both Palestinians and Israelis that have been affected by the Hamas attack on October 7 and the subsequent conflict in Gaza.
The London Marathon has been threatened by protesters before, including the supporters of the Tamil Tigers back in 2009 and Just Stop Oil in 2022.
TCS London Marathon director Hugh Brasher (pictured) urged protesters to skip the demonstrations this weekend
Thousands of runners pass across Tower Bridge during London Marathon 2023
Pro-Palestinian protesters march from Russell Square to Parliament Square as part of a national day of action for Palestine, in London on April 13
A pro-Israel counter protest held in a corner of Parliament Square ahead of a Stop the War Coalition demonstration on April 17
A spokesperson for Just Stop Oil told Sky News last year 'we never rule out anything', when asked if they would protest on marathon day.
James Skeet said: 'Just Stop Oil will do whatever is non-violently necessary to draw attention to the crisis, so we wouldn't necessarily rule anything out within that framework.'
Mr Brasher described the London Marathon as a 'force for good' in today's society and predicted that charity runners will raise more than £66.4 million on Sunday.
'There are so many people running for so many different causes. What we've always tried to do is bring people together,' Mr Brasher added.
The war in Gaza has provoked impassioned reactions from affected communities, leading to some clashes between protestors and counter-protestors in international demonstrations in recent months.
The Metropolitan Police has also faced criticism for its perceived 'light touch' policing the demonstrations.
Officers clashed with pro-Palestine demonstrators who were taking part in 'economic blockades' last week.
Hundreds of people join the pro-Palestine Stop Arming Israel protest outside Parliament on April 17
Pro-Palestinian protesters clash with police officers during a demonstration outside the LondonMetric company offices as part of the A15 global economic blockade
A small number of pro-Israel activists oppose the pro-Palestine Stop Arming Israel protest outside Parliament on April 17
