‘Peaceful protest’ or intimidation? Edgware, June 2026
What does it mean when a community feels unable to leave their homes while a demonstration passes through the streets where they live, worship and raise their children
Today, a demonstration came to my street.
It began outside a local shul (synagogue) and moved through Edgware, a part of Barnet with a large and visible Jewish community. Roads were closed, streets blocked, and the police presence was significant — on foot, in vans, and helicopters overhead. There were drums, loudhailers, chants, placards and masks. I could hear the noise from my garden.
My family has lived here for years. We have raised our children here. We walk these streets, shop here, socialise here and worship here. This is our home.
Many members of our community also came out. There were no loudhailers or drums, but there was singing, conversation and, at one point, even some dancing.
Later, the police escorted the protesters to the local Tube station. The route took them down my street. I wasn’t worried that my home would be attacked in that moment because of the strong police presence, but it was very unsettling hearing the chanting outside my house and seeing masked protesters taking photographs of our homes.
Afterwards, I learned that not one of my Jewish neighbours had left their home until the street was clear. One neighbour told me she had been shaking while sitting in her own house. Others said they felt frightened.
Since then, our road WhatsApp group has been discussing whether the protest was lawful, whether it was acceptable to leave anti-Israel stickers on lamp posts and bins, and where the line lies between protest and intimidation. I don’t know all the answers. What I do know is that many people who live here felt shaken and intruded upon.
All of this happened on the same weekend that the King’s Birthday Honours were announced. Amid the unease, I also felt immense pride seeing several accomplished Jewish friends and colleagues recognised for their outstanding contributions to our society across so many fields.
I support the right to peaceful protest. But I also think it is worth asking what it means when a community feels unable to leave their homes while a demonstration passes through the streets where they live, worship and raise their children.
Today left me thinking about the difference between speaking to power and bringing a protest to the doorstep of ordinary people. It also reminded me how important it is that every community in Britain feels safe, respected and able to live openly as themselves.
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