Anti-Ulez protesters arrested in demonstration near Khan home
SEVERAL anti-Ulez protesters have been arrested near Sadiq Khan’s home after police ordered them to disperse.
There were chaotic scenes yesterday as officers pinned a number of demonstrators to the ground at the scene, marching down the street in a line to force people to leave the area.
It came after campaigners hostile to the London Mayor’s ultra-low emission zone announced plans to stage a “KHANAGE \@ KHANS” demonstration near Mr Khan’s home in Streatham, south-west London.
The event was part of a campaign to highlight what they said was the damage done to motorists by the policy in the run-up to the London mayoral election next month.
About 100 demonstrators, some in vehicles including a bus and a fire engine, waved banners and used loudhailers but were swiftly issued with a dispersal order by police.
The protest comes amid heightened concerns about demonstrations outside politicians’ homes.
Police gave the protesters 10 minutes to disperse. They also imposed conditions under S14 of the Public Order Act. Some time after that window, the protest leader told people to leave, but by that stage some appeared to be close to the advancing police line and were dragged to the ground and arrested shortly afterwards.
Six were arrested under the Public Order Act and one was detained for obstructing a highway. An officer could be seen putting out a smoke bomb with a fire extinguisher.
One witness, who asked not to be named, said: “The police were coming from every direction by the time it kicked off, dozens and dozens of them.”
As London Mayor, Mr Khan is the equivalent of an elected police and crime commissioner for the Metropolitan Police.
Claire Dyer, one of the protesters at the demonstration, told The Telegraph: “We’re not causing anyone alarm and distress. We’re just standing round making our message heard. We’re not going anywhere near Sadiq’s house.”
In December, Just Stop Oil protesters who gathered at the Islington home of Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, to sing climate change-inspired Christmas carols were ordered to move on.
There has also been outrage in recent months over the tactics of pro-Palestinian protesters who have targeted MPs’ family homes, including that of Tobias Elwood in Bournemouth.
Mr Khan, who is campaigning for a third term as Mayor, has about 15 police officers protecting him. He recently said in an interview that he receives threats “from a number of sides”.