03/05/2023
Whatever your views on the monarchy (and there are both plenty of LGBTQ+ monarchists and anti-monarchists), it would be fair to say that LGBTQIA+ people support the right to protest against any state institution. After all, our community has had to do so many times in the past. Well known gay democratic socialist and human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell remarked this week "I do not want to be a "subject" of the Crown. I am a citizen! I owe neither deference nor allegiance to a king who was imposed on me without my consent - or the consent of the British people. Abolish the monarchy & all feudal titles! Time to elect our head of state!" Mr Tatchell was speaking as the progressive newspapers revealed that the authoritarian government of Rishi Sunak had rushed through controversial new anti-protest powers in an effort to stop any expressions of dissent during the Coronation. Threatening letters on Home Office paper were sent to Republic, an umbrella group which networks people against the Institution of Monarchy. Theirs is not just a left wing group - they encompass a range of political viewpoints ranging from the left to the libertarian right and everything between. Republic has, according to the Guardian newspaper, consulted lawyers who agree that the letters are intimidatory and vindictive. Graham Smith, speaking for Republic, said today: "We have had two meetings with the Met police, and numerous phone conversations. They have repeatedly said they have no concerns about Republic's plans. It is a mystery why the Home Office thought it was necessary to send us an anonymous letter that could be interpreted as intimidation.
Republic will not be deterred and we will be protesting on Trafalgar Square and along the route of the coronation procession on Saturday. It is telling that Charles, who has had no problem speaking up on various issues, has chosen not to defend democratic rights when they are being threatened in his name. Perhaps he might make it clear that he believes in the right to protest." Shami Chakrabarti, a prominent activist with the National Council for Civil Liberties, known more commonly as Liberty, pointed out that as predicted the government had accelerated the implementation of these new laws on the back of "Daily Mail" reader prejudice against ecological and animal rights activism, but that they are now being used against any and every type of protest the government wants to stamp on.
