Protesters charged

[Sapphire387]

A woman has apparently been charged for a 'breach of the peace' for holding up a sign that read 'fuck imperialism, abolish the monarchy'. A man has been charged with the same, for shouting at Andrew and calling him 'a sick old man'.

AIBU to find this deeply concerning and an attack on freedom of speech?

Whether pro or anti-monarchy, I think we should all be allowed to express our views on this.

YABU - they should have been charged.
YANBU - they should not have been charged.

Britain in a par with North Korea? There have been some emotionally discharged brain farts in the last few days, and this is right up there, with them!

Assuming there is no violence I don't think anybody should be arrested .

Yes, physically hauling someone away and arresting them for asking, "Who elected him" is exactly the definition of totalitarianism.

I thought the Prince Andrew incident was during the passing of the coffin - and I do think inappropriate time and place though agree with the sentiments.

But still think man should have just be lead away.

The proclamations are different - I do think protests are very appropriate there.

It is inciting violence and/or public disorder. That's before you even get to how crass it is. Just imagine placards being held up telling 'foreigners' to go back home. Indeed, there have been many. Yet, the advocates of free speech would soon do a u turn.

The hell it is. Asking for the monarchy to be abolished is not hate speech, nor is it at all violent.

But why protest at a funeral. Not appropriate at all

That's an interesting question and actually, as pro choice every day of the week and pro freedom of speech then I would also defend the right of people holding up placards and heckling women at clinics to do that.

Regardless of how offensive I find their opinions freedom of speech should absolutely be that. Hate speech or clearly inciting hate is a further discussion, obviously.

But I do agree there is a time and a place and this was absolutely NOT it.

Oh for crying out loud you need to get your head screwed on. In a totalitarian state he would never have been seen again. Just use some common sense please, else you become as brainless as the protesters. These guys have had 70 years to protest against the monarchy yet they come out of the woodwork now. Where were they all this time? We haven’t heard a peep out of them till now. If they were that concerned why haven’t they been making a fuss until now? Even staunch Republicans have been writing warmly about the Queen so why should one or two lunatics get the limelight.

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Socialist.Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Trade Unionist.Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Jew.Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me. — Martin Niemöller

How is it inciting violence/public disorder?

They are protesting the PROCLAMATION

I think protesting at a funeral entourage is as inappropriate as the Westboro Baptist Church picketing military funerals in the US.

There is also the risk of terrorist action and I’ve noticed the security seems to be on high alert for this.

I haven’t noticed them coming for the Socialists, the trade unionists, the Jews or me either. Just a few people who are acting inappropriately. The problem with using a quote like this is it devalues it

To clarify - funeral protest ... not good.

The proclamations ... I also think protests are appropriate there.

It is inciting violence and/or public disorder

No it isn’t, it really isn’t. Stating that you do not believe in the monarchy as the #notmyking person did, absolutely does not incite violence or disorder.

This current idiot knew exactly what they were doing. Asking for the monarchy to be abolished, with foul, aggressive language, in public? Why not bitch away on forums, like this? Why not form lobby groups or join others? You really are trying to defend the indefensible. The police don't arrest somebody, unless there are grounds to do so. Let's see if the idiot sues the police for wrongful arrest, shall we?

So false arrest is okay, but we'll wait for beatings, disappearances before we get concerned? Okay. Won't be long.

Were people supposed to be agitating for an elderly queen to be removed? Obviously the moment to end the monarchy is a time of changeover.

I agree - and think funeral aspects should be protest free.

However some people have protested at proclamations - where were told we have a new King - and past big ones the grieving Royal family haven't been present.

Standing up at official point you are being told you have a new King - and stating oi why do we still have this and I don't agree with this - seems a fairly good place to protest.

But why protest at a funeral. Not appropriate at all

Funeral is on Monday. HTH.

I’ve found these stories really worrying. Along with the recent protest law change, I think we all need to start kicking up more of a fuss about things like this, before we can’t anymore.

Asking for the monarchy to be abolished...in public...is absolutely not a crime. Even if you use a naughty word.

To those saying anti monarchy is not an arrestable offence. It is when its protestors set out to cause harm or distress and invoke disorderly conduct. Of course, these attention seeking protestors, wouldn't have even give that a second's thought, no siree.

Look at the bigger picture, which is what the police did.

If you want to object to the monarchy surely this is exactly the right time to do it?

I agree that arresting people for peacefully protesting is pretty sinister.