From: XXX, F4 Division, 8 June 1984 PROTESTS DIRECTED AT THE SUMMIT - SATURDAY 9 JUNE I attach a report (classified Confidential) by Metropolitan Police Special Branch about the protests, mainly CND-orientated, which will be mounted tomorrow. 2. I am aware that it is based on a considerable amount of work by the Metropolitan Police and the XXX to refine their estimates of the load upon them during this difficult weekend, end they regard the material within this report as very reliable. 3. Although the report is considerably more detailed it is consistent with the forecasts set out in my previous reports on this subject about the likely extent of these protests. For that reason I do not suggest that any further report to No 10 is required (unless you wish to confirm merely that the police stand by previous estimates which they now regard as very reliable). But I thought that the Home Secretary would find it useful to see this detailed assessment. 4. The police are confident of being able to contain the attempts, referred to in the report, to step outside the arrangements which have been agreed. They are in no doubt about the importance of ensuring that everything connected with the conference at Lancaster House goes ahead smoothly sud unimpeded by demonstrations. 8 June 1984 F4 DivisionSpecial Branch New Scotland Yard Broadway, LONDON SW1H 0BG F4 Division Home Office Queen Anne'e Gate London SW1H 9AT 5th June 1984 Dear 1. You may wish to see a copy of the assessment dealing with the various CND and allied protests which have been timed to coincide with the Economic Summit and which will culminate in major activity on Saturday 9th June 1984. YoursMETROPOLITAN POLICE SPECIAL BRANCH THREAT ASSESSMENT WORLD ECONOMIC SUMMIT AND ALLIED 'PEACE' PROTESTS 1. This assessment deals with the threat to public order from left and right wing extremist and peace campaigners opposed to the deployment of nuclear weapons, who have planned a series of demonstrations to coincide with the World Economic Summit, culminating in a major 'Day of Action' on Saturday 9th June 1984. 2. The Summit, with so many leading world politicians present, in particular President REAGAN of the United States of America, has provided many left- wing and peace groups with a unique opportunity to display disapproval, not only of the "West's" defence policy, but also of its economic strategy. The prime vehicle for protest is the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and the main event will he a large anti-nuclear demonstration on Saturday 9th June. It is considered that about 100,000 demonstrators will march peacefully from Hyde Park, via Belgravia, Victoria and Whitehall, to Trafalgar Square. However, on the same day two smaller, but associated demonstrations, involving civil disobedience will take place in the vicinity of the United States Embassy and Lancaster House. These protests will attract some 2,000 and 3,000 demonstrators respectively, many of whom are prepared for arrest. There are several less significant protests in the preceding days and all will be dealt with chronologically later in this assessment. 3. There is no current intelligence to suggest that any counter demonstrations will be mounted. Nevertheless, it should he noted that the Coalition for Peace through Security {see later] has its office in Whitehall and Lady Olga MAITLAND, of Women and Families for Defence, has received an invitation to visit the United States Embassy on Saturday 9th June. These two small organisations, of themselves, will not promote disorder but their presence may provoke a response which might lead to violence. 4. Wednesday 6th June 1984 Ex-Services CND This small, sincere and well behaved section of CND plan to hold a silent vigil at the Cenotaph, Whitehall, SW1. from 10 am to 12 noon. Not only is this event a protest against nuclear weapons. but it will also commemorate the Normandy Landings of forty years ago. About 60 persons will attend and no disorder is anticipated.SPECIAL BRANCH THREAT ASSESSMENT 2 5. Thursday 7th June 1984 Christian CND Christian CND is a broad alliance of persons of differing religious persuasions sharing a common aspiration for the abolition of nuclear weapons. In the past they have resorted to acts of civil disobedience in furtherance of their aims. As a prelude to the main CND demonstrations and to coincide with the visit to the United Kingdom of President REAGAN, they plan to hold a religious service followed by "civil disobedience / holy obedience". The service is to be held at St Martin in the Fields church, St Martin's Place, WC2, at lpm. Those wishing to participate afterwards in the act of "civil disobedience / holy obedience" will re-group at 4pm, before moving to the venue for this "religious act". The original plan to go to Parliament Square has been thwarted by a lobby of Parliament on behalf of the Trades Union of Mineworkers and it is believed that Admiralty Arch will now be the venue. Apparently, between 80 and 120 persons, many in clerical garb, will form a large circle, sing hymns, say prayers and listen to bible readings. In addition, it is understood that many are prepared to be arrested and some will bring padlocks and chains to secure themselves to each other (and no doubt Admiralty Arch). Quakers The Quakers have been given permission to hold a vigil, near Lancaster House, at St James Street junction with Pall Mall, Wl from 8am on Thursday 7th June to 5pm Saturday 9th June 1984. No more than 12 persons will be permitted to participate in the vigil at any one time and no disorder is expected. 6. Friday 8th June 1984 (a) Green CND protest This section of CND, comprising mainly environmentalists and ecologists, plan to make its protest by forming a human chain from the nearby TOES (The Other Economic Summit), Royal Overseas League, Park Place, SW1, as near to Lancaster House as police will permit. Commencing at 4pm, between 150 and 500 protestors wil link arms and pass symbols of "living mother earth" in the form of twigs, leaves, flowers, etc from TOES towards Lancaster House. Objects of destruction, i.e. mock Cruise missiles, bombs and guns will be passed in the opposite direction. At 5pm the organisers plan to 'picnic' in nearby St James Park There is no reason to suppose that the peaceful philosophy of Green CND will alter and this protest is expected to be orderly. However, there isSPECIAL BRANCH THREAT ASSESSMENT 3 no intelligence to indicate what sort of 'mock weapons' they plan to bring into the area. As such, any imitation "firearm" or similar imitation weapon in the vicinity of Lancaster House may well cause serious consternation. (b) Non Violent Direct Action (NVDA) (Exponents of NVDA believe their protest is best served by "Non Violent" confrontation with the authorities i.e. police. Such NVDA normally takes the form of a 'sit-down' protest.) It has been suggested that members of the Northern NVDA network may arrive in London earlier than anticipated and stage a protest alongside Green CND. There has been no intelligence to confirm this suggestion, but should it take place no more than 100 persons will support this parallel protest which in any event would not be welcomed by Green CND. (c) CND Grosvenor Square A relay from RAP Molesworth1 Cambridgeshire to London will terminate in Grosvenor Square at 3.30pm with the arrival of the last runner. That runner will attempt to deliver a small model of a 'Cruise' missile to the United States embassy and no more than 20 or so people are expected to witness its arrival. 7. Saturday 9th June 1984 Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament 'Return to Sender' The National Council of CND was slow to react to news that the British government would host the Economic Summit, having settled for the implementation of the 1983 Conference decision to concentrate national efforts for 1984 on the European Parliamentary Elections. However, pressure from a small ad-hoc group of autonomous pacifists from within and without CND, "Action 84", early in 1984, led to the adoption by the executive of the CND, of proposals to hold a national demonstration in London during the Economic Summit. To accommodate the NVDA networks the executive approved a CND backed civil disobedience action at Grosvenor Square, as an adjunct to the main demonstration. Thus, having acceded, CND organised two major demonstrations in London for Saturday 9th June. Material in this assessment shouid not be reproduced without reference to MPSBSPECIAL BRANCH THREAT ASSESSMENT 4 The first was a march and rally and the second a blockade of the United States Embassy, Grosvenor Square, Wl. Both demonstrations have the same theme - "Return to Sender" - symbolically to return 'Cruise' missiles to President REAGAN. whom CND believes, has been instrumental in their deployment in Europe and, especially. Britain. It is not intended by CND that this demonstration should be anti-American, but inevitably those elements in Britain opposed to the political structure of the 'West' and American foreign policy in particular, will do their utmost to ensure that an anti-US stance is portrayed. 8. March and Rally About 100,000 demonstrators will assemble at Hyde Park and at 12.30 pm they will start to march by way of Belgravia, Victoria and Whitehall to a rally in Trafalgar Square. The rally will span 3 hours from 2 pm to 5 pm with an elaborate public address system to ensure that those present enjoy not only the speeches by leading anti-nuclear exponents, but also the planned entertainment and music. Intelligence suggests that this event will follow the pattern set previously by the pacifist fraternity and be entirely peaceful. 9. United States Embassy 'Blockade' There has been growing pressure of late for 'militant' pacifists within CND to be given the opportunity to express their frustration by means of NVDA. On this occasion CND has accepted the responsibility of organising the protest. It is acknowledged that the Embassy will be empty, but CND wish to show its opponents that it has the capacity to frustrate normal diplomatic movement into and out of the building from 12 noon to 3 pm by this symbolic action. Some 2,000 members of the NVDA networks from all over Britain will move on the Embassy from the compass points (according to geographical origin) and 'sit down' when prevented by police from advancing further. Those 'sitting' will stay until removed by police, or 3 pm. At this time all those remaining will cease the 'blockade' and walk to Trafalgar Square to join the main demonstration. It must be stressed that there is no intention by CND that this action should be anything other than symbolic and peaceful. Nevertheless, they believe police will provide 'violence' by making arrests. l0. SUMMIT 84 (Action 84) Lancaster House Those in 'Action 84' who were the instigators of pressure on CND, wanted from the beginning to demonstrate at Lancaster House. When CND announced its support for NVDA at Grosvenor Square 'Action 84' decided not Material in this assessment should not be reproduced without reference to M.P.S.B.SPECIAL BRANCH THREAT ASSESSMENT 5 to join CND but to concentrate its efforts at Lancaster House and, because of internal wrangling, changed its name to "Summit 84". This group is a broad based alliance of 'autonomous pacifists' and plans to advance on Lancaster House from four general directions:~ (a) Hyde Park Corner - Green Park (b) Pall Mall (c) Parliament Square - St James's Park (d) Buckingham Palace Road - Queens Gardens until stopped by police from getting any closer, at which stage they too plan a 'sit down'. The crucial difference at this location is their intention to prevent the VIP's from leaving Lancaster House. 'Summit 84' has timed its protest accordingly and will commence action at 12.30pm and maintain a 'blockade' until 5pm. Although publicised as a peaceful protest, the location and emotion of the event has drawn support from outside pacifist circles. It is known that some Trotskyist organisations, including the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) intend to 'go to Lancaster House'. Inevitably, other non-pacifist groups including the unruly punk anti-militarists, will be drawn to this action and it is their indiscipline which may cause serious problems. It is anticipated that approximately 3,000 persons will eventually participate in the 'blockade' of Lancaster House and the risk of disorder is high. Although 'Summit 84' supporters will begin this action at about noon, it is understood that the SWP may well not arrive until later, having previously taken part in the main march. 11. Guildhall and Buckingham Palace 'Summit 84' has also urged demonstrators to move on to the Guildhall City of London, for the press conference at about 4pm and back to Buckingham Palace for the banquet in the evening at 8-30pm. Whilst no firm plans have been made in respect of these two venues it must he expected that a 'sit down' may well he held. Any support for protests at the Guildhall and Buckingham Palace is expected to he limited to 'hard-line' pacifists and 'punk anti- militarists'. Accordingly those attending these activities will probably be no more than two to three hundred. However, it has to he stressed that events earlier in the day must have a direct bearing on the nature and level of support for these protests. Material in this assessment should not be reproduced without reference to MPSB.SPECIAL BRANCH THREAT ASSESSMENT 6 12. Anarchists The Class War Collective of Anarchists and its motley collection of punk anti-militarist followers are known to oppose the middle-class manner in which CND conducts itself. At the 22nd October 1983 demonstration some 100 Class War followers attempted to storm the stage at the rally but were unsuccessful. Whilst there is no intelligence to suggest they will attempt the same manoeuvre, it is known that their 'Spring Offensive against the lch' has not so far been successful. There has been a suggestion, however, that they may use the cover of the demonstrations to go on the rampage in Mayfair and even to subvert other extremists into similar action. It is most unlikely that any other group would in fact act in this way, but if sufficient confusion can be generated these anarchists {about 100} might be emboldened to commit acts of random criminal damage. Easily identifiable, with their punk hairstyles and dirty black clothing, these anarchists will undoubtedly congregate around their black, and black and red, anarchist flags in Hyde Park prior to joining the main demonstration. 13. Bail Of late, information has come to hand which indicates a growing move towards 'refusing bail', by those arrested for public order offences at demonstrations. The object is to 'clog up' the penal system by refusing to co-operate with police and so swell the number of remand prisoners with the object of securing a total collapse of the remand system. It has not been possible to gauge the extent of support for this action, but it is felt that it will be limited to the few militant activists on the periphery of CND, i.e. Greenham Women support groups. 14. Opposition As already stated, there is no intelligence to suggest that any organised counter-demonstration is being planned. However, two organisations with opposing views to CND are worthy of attention. Coalition for Peace through Security This small group of research workers, whose aim is to oppose CND propaganda, has its office at 27-31 Whitehall, SW1, and during the recent major CND demonstrations supporters played jingoistic music from a loudspeaker on the roof-top. As before, they will conduct an aerial photographic 'count' of the main demonstration.SPECIAL BRANCH THREAT ASSESSMENT 7 It is to be anticipated that on this occasion a banner welcoming President REHGAN will be displayed. Women and Families for Defence XXX, the leader of this small band of citizens opposed to CND policy has been invited to the United States embassy at llam on Saturday 9th June when she will hand in a letter supporting President REAGAN. Intelligence suggests she will also be party to a publicity stunt in the Grosvenor Square area which may involve the flying of an advertising balloon. 15. Conclusions The main CND march will, as ever, be a massive but peaceful event, but the two numerically lesser activities at Grosvenor Square and around Lancaster House will present the greater public order difficulties for police. Of the two, the Lancaster House 'blockade', timed to start just as a 'Trooping the Colour' rehearsal is ending and its implications for preventing access to and from Lancaster House, poses the greater security and public order problem. Whether or not Guildhall or Buckingham Palace are the scene of later, albeit much smaller protests, will hinge substantially on how the earlier demonstrations pass off. There have been suggestions that the anarchists and other militants may attempt to divert the main march and gain support for the Lancaster House 'blockade', but these have not been confirmed from any reliable source and, even if true, it is highly unlikely that the main march will allow itself to be subverted from its peaceful and dignified purpose. If any further information comes to hand it will be in forwarded. Chief Superintendent 4th June 1984