The leader of the anti-monarchist Republic group and other members were released after being held for several hours during King Charles’s coronation on Saturday, raising questions about whether the police response was adequate.
Police arrested GOP leader Graham Smith and 51 others in central London as thousands of royal fans lined the streets in anticipation of Charles’s coronation. The authorities said their duty to prevent riots was more important than the right to protest.
The Republic said its members who were taken to jail began to be released late Saturday night after nearly 16 hours of detention.
“Now I’m out of the police station… Don’t hesitate. There is no longer a right to peaceful protest in the UK,” Smith wrote.
“I have been told many times that the monarch is here to defend our freedoms. Now our freedoms are threatened because of his name.”
On Saturday, police said they understood the public’s concern following the arrests, but stressed that they acted after receiving information that protesters were determined to disrupt the coronation march.
London Police Chief Mark Rowley warned on Friday that police would take action if protesters tried to “interfere with people’s joy and celebration”, saying the riots would be “limitedly tolerable”.
Wes Streeting, an MP for the opposition Labor Party, said the police should be held accountable for the adequacy of the response, adding that some protests were allowed.
Tens of thousands turned out on Saturday to catch a glimpse of the crowned Charles and Camilla as they headed back to Buckingham Palace after the service at Westminster Abbey.
Those who gathered to watch the event did more than just cheer for Charles, as hundreds of Republicans booed the event and waved banners reading “He’s not my king.”
Culture Minister Lucy Fraser said she had great confidence in the police, adding that along with the right to protest, people also have the right not to interfere with their joy.
“I think overall (the police) have managed to strike that balance,” Fraser told Sky News.
“It is very important to consider the context of the event because this event raised questions of national security.”
Source: Reuters.
Source: Kathimerini
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