Oxford St George’s Day parade banning order claims addressed

Oxford City Council spoke out today (Monday, March 30) to refute speculation that it had ‘banned’ a parade at Bonn Square in the city on Sunday, April 19.

St George’s Day – the national day of England – is on April 23 and the council has said the square was already booked prior to the request from the Oxfordshire Patriots.

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A spokesperson said: “Oxfordshire Patriots contacted Thames Valley Police on March 20 about holding an event in Bonn Square between noon and 3.30pm on Sunday, April 19.

“On March 25, Thames Valley Police contacted Oxford City Council about the event.

Oxford Town Hall (Image: Ed Nix)

“We informed the police that Bonn Square had already been booked for Sunday, April 19.”

Sending out a statement in response to several social media posts, the council said that on March 27 it was claimed it had cancelled an event on Saturday, April 18, because it “could cause trouble and spread hate”.

Indeed a user, who the council replied to on X, said this was the reason given and that they had concerns about the fairness of the decision.

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Claiming to speak for Oxfordshire Patriots, the user said they would be gathering as a peaceful protest on April 18.

The spokesperson for the council said: “To be clear we have not cancelled this event. We informed the police that Bonn Square was already booked.

“Anyone wishing to book Bonn Square should do so several months in advance of their planned event.”