The head of the anti-monarchy group Republic, who was among 52 people arrested on Saturday, has said that there is “no longer a right to peaceful protest in the UK”.
Speaking last night Graham Smith said; “Yesterday, as we prepared for a peaceful and lawful protest, a number of Republic’s team were arrested and detained for the rest of the day.
“These arrests are a direct attack on our democracy and the fundamental rights of every person in the country.”
According to The Times:
Metropolitan Police officers brushed off criticism over the arrests of anti-monarchy protesters, saying “no harm done” as campaigners accused them of a “direct attack on democracy”.
The force said 52 people were detained for offences including affray and breach of the peace during coronation festivities.
Eight members of Republic, the anti-monarchist group, about 20 Just Stop Oil activists and 14 animal rights campaigners were among those hauled in for questioning on Saturday.
Three women’s personal safety volunteers patrolling Soho were detained in the early hours of coronation day.
A 47-year-old man with ties to Extinction Rebellion, and two women aged 37 and 59, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit public nuisance and have since been given police bail.
Scotland Yard said that it had “received intelligence” which indicated that individuals sought to trigger rape alarms during the procession. Officers seized a number of alarms.
Westminster city council, which runs the Night Stars scheme, said it was “deeply concerned” about the arrest of the volunteers, who carry rape alarms and anti-spiking equipment to give to vulnerable women in the West End.
The team wear distinctive pink reflective vests branded with the Met logo.
Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, which represents thousands of officers from the rank of constable to chief inspector, defended officers’ actions.
“I don’t doubt [there] were honest individuals handing out rape alarms but we have to be alert to the risks of, for example, alarms getting into the wrong hands.
“We had the power and ability to do what we did — it was necessary to allow what was the biggest event in the world to take place. Many people were dearrested and there was no harm done. Our role is to protect the public, and may I add I think we did it superbly.”
