06/05/2023
Gay human rights campaigner and democratic socialist Peter Tatchell was streaming live from the anti-monarchist protest spot on the parade route of the Coronation of King Charles III on Saturday. Mr Tatchell said "Police arrest peaceful anti-monarchy protesters, confiscate placards, photograph us & erect giant barriers to obscure pro-republic banners. Right to freely protest suppressed. Police broke promises to allow protests. Shame!" The Liberty Human Rights group has issued a statement about the earlier arrests of peaceful protesters at the coronation. It said: Protest is a fundamental right, not a gift from the state – but our right to stand up for what we believe in is under threat, and that has been particularly clear in the lead up to the coronation this morning. Already in recent days we have seen protest groups sent intimidatory letters, anti-protest laws rushed through, and facial recognition being deployed against millions of people. And this morning we saw people arrested before they started protesting – despite having been given the go-ahead by police. This is extremely concerning and sets a dangerous precedent for us as a democratic nation. Our right to protest must be protected, not clamped down on. The Metropolitan Police, which is already in crisis in the wake of the Casey Report which found that it was compromised by misogyny, racism and homophobia, were not just arresting anti-monarchist protesters including the Director of the Republic Campaign Group. The Just Stop Oil Group said that around twenty people had also been arrested by the Police. They said "around 20 people will spend tonight in jail — simply for holding a sign. Only governments that have lost public support crackdown on protest. We can win our campaign to stop new fossil fuels. "
