UK anti-monarchists released from custody after coronation

The leader of an anti-monarchy group planning to protest the coronation of King Charles III has been released by police after 16 hours of detention.

Graham Smith was arrested ahead of Saturday’s festivities, with police saying that while they understood the public’s concerns about the arrests, they acted after receiving information that protesters were determined to disrupt the coronation procession.

Smith denied any plans to sabotage the procession, saying his group was planning a peaceful demonstration.

“Now I’m out of the police station… Make no mistake. There is no longer any right to peaceful protest in the UK,” Smith said on Twitter.

“I have been told many times that the monarch is there to defend our freedoms. Now our freedoms are being attacked in his name,” he added.

Smith, whose Republic group advocates the abolition of the monarchy, was among more than 50 people who were arrested using new powers that were signed into law this week by the UK government to quell protests by direct action groups.

London Police Chief Mark Rowley warned on Friday that police would take action if protesters tried to “obstruct people’s fun and celebration”, saying there would be a “very low tolerance” for interruptions.

“These arrests are a direct attack on our democracy and the fundamental rights of every person in the country,” Smith said. “Each and every police officer involved on the ground should bow their heads in shame.”

Parties planned across Britain

King Charles said on Sunday he was “deeply touched” by the celebration of his coronation in what was Britain’s biggest ceremonial event in 70 years.

The King and Queen were “deeply grateful to all those who helped to make this such a glorious occasion – and to the many who showed their support in so many numbers in London and elsewhere,” a Buckingham Palace spokesman said.

Charles’s heir Prince William and his wife Kate met crowds in Windsor ahead of the evening’s “Coronation Concert”, where around 20,000 members of the public and guests will gather.

The King’s younger brother Prince Edward, his sister Princess Anne, and their nieces Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie also attended the so-called “Big Lunch” events.

Even Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hosted a coronation luncheon on Sunday, with guests including Ukrainian families, youth groups and US First Lady Jill Biden.

“From a cup of tea with a neighbor to a street party, a Grand Coronation Luncheon brings the celebrations to your neighborhood and is a great way to get to know your community a little better,” Buckingham Palace said of the celebrations. .

Monday was declared a bank holiday in the UK.

jcg/dj (Reuters, AFP, AP)