Dozens still in custody
Head of anti-monarchy protests is free again
05/07/2023 03:25 am
As part of the coronation of King Charles III. British police arrested numerous opponents of the monarchy. After almost 16 hours, the most famous face of the protests, Graham Smith, is free again. He made serious allegations on Twitter.
After nearly 16 hours in police custody in London, a leader of the anti-monarchy protests was released last night. In contrast, most of the other 52 activists arrested on Saturday would continue to be held, the British news agency PA reported. The head of the Republic organization, Graham Smith, was present at protests against the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday. been arrested.
After his release, he wrote on Twitter: “Let’s not fool ourselves. There is no longer a right to peaceful protest in the United Kingdom.” He has often been told that the monarch is there to defend “our freedoms”. “Now our liberties are being attacked in his name.” He is now waiting for his colleagues who have still been arrested.
The police had been heavily criticized for the arrests. The organization Human Rights Watch said the “incredibly alarming” arrests were more likely to be expected in Moscow than in London. According to the police, 52 people had been arrested for riots, public order violations, conspiracy and disturbance of the peace, among other things. The British government has recently tightened the right to demonstrate. For example, police officers can already stop rallies if they fear that they will seriously disturb the public.
On Saturday against the coronation of King Charles III. People demonstrated in several British cities. Hundreds of people gathered in London not far from the procession route. There were also protests in the Welsh capital Cardiff and the Scottish city of Glasgow.