Marieha Mohsin Hussain, a teacher, has been identified as the person who held a controversial placard depicting Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman as coconuts at a pro-Palestinian march in London. The term ‘coconut’ is considered a racist slur implying betrayal of one’s race.
Background of the Incident
Hussain, 36, participated in the London march, which saw over 300,000 protesters calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. The march also led to 126 arrests and injuries to nine police officers. Hussain, who was raised in a £2million home in Great Missenden, Bucks, has been involved in other protests, including one alleging pro-Israeli bias by the BBC.
Community and Friends’ Reaction
Despite the controversy, friends of Hussain have come forward to defend her character, stating she doesn’t have a “malicious bone in her body” and would never intentionally commit a hate crime. Her parents declined to comment on the placard but confirmed her presence at the march.
Police Investigation
The Metropolitan Police are investigating the incident as a possible racially aggravated public order offence. This follows another controversial incident at the same march, where ex-Labour activist Kate Varnfield displayed a placard showing the Star of David enmeshed with the Nazi swastika, which is also being investigated as a hate crime.
Prime Minister and Police Response
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the actions at the march as “wholly unacceptable,” emphasizing the need for all criminality to be met with strong legal action. Commander Karen Findlay of the Met Police acknowledged the peaceful nature of most protesters but condemned the unacceptable behaviour of some. The police have been working on the numerous arrests from the event and reviewing footage for further action against hate crimes.
Broader Context of the Protests
The pro-Palestinian marches, which took place in 40 towns and cities across the UK, were largely aimed at calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Despite the overall peaceful nature of these events, the few instances of inflammatory and potentially criminal actions have drawn significant attention and scrutiny. The police are continuing their vigilant monitoring and response to any further developments related to these events.
