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London’s Metropolitan Police said they arrested 52 people on Saturday, mostly for offenses apparently linked to Charles III’s coronation, including public order offences, breach of the peace and conspiracy to cause public disturbance. In the evening, police said that all those arrested remain in custody.
Before the coronation, police said there would be zero tolerance for disruptive protests and they welcomed a new law that came into effect this week, giving them more powers to crack down on protests that cause “serious disturbances.”
On Saturday, some protesters said the arrests were a violation of public liberties.
“If that’s not a violation of the right to protest, I don’t know what is,” said one protester by phone, Imogen McBeath.
Several protesters, organized by the Republicans, a prominent anti-monarchy group in Britain, had arrived early Saturday in Trafalgar Square and on the Mall in London to publicly protest the coronation, an event seen as an important opportunity to highlight what done. see as the absurdity of having a royal family in modern Britain.
Republic said that among those arrested was its leader, Graham Smith, and other members of its core team. The group said it had communicated with the police before the protest and the arrest came as a surprise.
Hundreds of yellow banners reading, “Not my king,” were also held in Trafalgar Square, Republicans said.
In the square, 30-year-old Liorah Tchiprout, who wore a T-shirt with an embroidered portrait of Charles labeled “first-class parasite,” said the arrest could reduce the number of people who dare to speak out, when something happens. many protested.
“Our rights to protest are being destroyed,” he said. “It might scare people.”
Elsewhere in Britain, anti-monarchy protesters called for heavy-handed arrests in London. “We don’t agree,” said Emyr Gruffydd, who was at an anti-monarchy rally in Cardiff, Wales. “It’s healthy in a democracy to be able to express yourself.”
Yasmine Ahmed, UK director of Human Rights Watch, condemned the arrests. “People were arrested in the streets of London for peacefully protesting against the monarchy,” he wrote. on Twitteradding, “This is a scene you’d expect in Russia not in England. Disgusting!”
Despite the arrests, protesters in Trafalgar Square marched into Hyde Park, holding signs that read, “Moronic Monarchy,” or “He’s just a man,” or “What if Andy,” a reference to Charles’ infamous brother. , Prince Andrew.
He said he was “done with the monarchy” and “not my king,” but also “spent on health and education not on Charlie’s coronation.” He showed the middle finger to the jet during the flyover.
Actor Romy Elliot, 23, held a sign that read, “France gets more tourists,” a reference to the pro-monarchy argument that the British royal family helps Britain’s finances by becoming a tourist attraction.
The existence of the monarchy “only sends the message that if you are born lucky you get a position of power,” he said. “It’s a dangerous message.”
Isabella Egg contributed reports from Wales.
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