Fury as activists deface Amy Winehouse statue in Camden Town by sticking a Palestinian flag sticker over late singer’s Star of David necklace
A Palestinian flag was pasted to Amy Winehouse’s memorial statue by protesters last weekend – and people have expressed their anger at the vandalism online.
Twelve people were arrested on Saturday during the demonstration that saw thousands march through the streets of London.
Police have made arrests for several alleged crimes, including incitement to racial hatred, suspicion of supporting a banned organization in connection with a sign, and assaulting emergency workers.
The bronze statue of the late singer is in Camden Market and shows Amy wearing a Star of David necklace.
But demonstrators defaced the image by sticking a sticker of the Palestinian flag on the Back to Black singer’s necklace.
A Palestinian flag was stuck on Amy Winehouse’s memorial statue in Camden Town by protesters this weekend. The sticker was placed on her Star of David necklace
Unveiled in Camden Market in 2014, the statue stands 6 feet tall and depicts the late singer wearing the necklace.
The statue commemorates the life of Amy, who tragically died in 2011, and is often laden with flowers
Amy, whose album Back to Black is one of the best-selling in British history, died in 2011 after a drinking binge
The act was condemned on social media, with several users labeling it as ‘shameful’.
One person asked: ‘How low can some people go?’
Paul Madill wrote: ‘That’s completely disgraceful. So sad to see this.’
Neil M Reggae simply wrote ‘gross’ and Tom Fenn described the vandalism as ‘abhorrent’
A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: ‘Covering the Star of David, a well-known symbol of Judaism, on the statue of a British Jewish singer, with a sticker of the Palestinian Authority flag is anti-Semitic.
“So much for the ‘this is just criticism of Israel’ excuse that we so often hear from anti-Semites who are too cowardly or ignorant to admit what they are.
People expressed their anger online about the act, with several users calling the incident ‘shameful’
‘Currently, 69% of British Jews say they are less likely to show visible signs of their Judaism at this time.
“If even a statue of a Jew can’t get away with it, is that any surprise?
‘We have spoken to Camden Market who have confirmed that the sticker has now been removed.’
The statue stands at a height of 6 feet and was erected in 2014, three years after Amy’s tragic death.
The statue features the singer’s signature beehive hairstyle and is often laden with flowers.
Amy, whose album Back to Black is one of the best-selling in British history, died in 2011 after a drinking binge.
Protesters gathered south of Park Lane on Saturday, holding banners calling for a ‘ceasefire now’ and chanting ‘free, free Palestine’, before heading to a designated spot near the Israeli embassy where speeches were given held.
Speakers included former Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn and Palestinian ambassador to Britain Husam Zomlot, both calling for “justice” for the Palestinian people.
Just before 6.30pm the Met posted on X, formerly Twitter: ‘Today’s protest is now completely over.
A man appeared to be arguing with police as the procession became unruly at Hyde Park Corner
Former Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn took part in the pro-Palestinian march in central London on Saturday
A woman was arrested after she was spotted holding a cardboard sign reading ‘Long Live the Intifada’
The woman was arrested after allegedly waving a banner in support of a banned organization
“There were 12 arrests for placard-related offences, assaults on officers and refusal to remove face coverings. Fortunately, none of the officers attacked were seriously injured.
“Despite these arrests, the vast majority of participants were peaceful and acted entirely within the law. We have worked closely with the organizers and their stewarding team in the lead up to and during the protest and we are grateful for their cooperation.”
Shocking footage emerged after the march of pro-Palestinian demonstrators shouting abuse at a lone counter-protester calling Hamas terrorists.
Angry protesters threw objects at the man as he held a sign calling Hamas a “terrorist organization,” while members of the crowd also tried to snatch the sign from his hands.
The sign read: ‘Please don’t attack me! Do you agree that Hamas is a terrorist organization, yes or yes?’
However, it appeared to provoke an angry response from some pro-Palestinian activists who threw bottles, dirt and other objects at him, while one person tried to hit him with a wooden pole.
The Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on February 17, 2024 that at least 28,858 people have been killed in the area during the war between Palestinian militants and Israel.
Police officers inside the cordon at the Israeli Embassy in Kensington High Street, London
Police officers stand shoulder to shoulder as the march takes place. About 1,500 officers from all over the country were brought in to maintain order
A mass of slogans and banners were seen along Park Lane, with demonstrators demanding an end to the siege of Gaza
Others were heard shouting “w****r” as chants of “Free, Free Palestine” were directed at him.
Some activists were seen urging those angered by the sign to walk away, while two security personnel were also spotted trying to calm tensions.
MailOnline has contacted Camden Council and the Metropolitan Police for comment.