Arrested for holding a banner - can't ruin a big day, can we...

[cakeorwine]

'Not My King' protesters unfurl flags and shout anti-monarchy slogans on Coronation route | Daily Mail Online

Looks like the police are taking full advantage of their new powers.

It is the removal of a human right - the right to peaceful protest.

I am ashamed that a country that has always prided itself on being a free, democratic country in the modern world no longer can make that claim. What an example to set for other countries with a less than glorious human rights records.

It was reported on R4's Today programme a few minutes after the arrests that the police may have found items which could be used by protesters to chain themselves to lampposts and other immovable street furniture or joining themselves together in a human chain across the route.

They appear to be things that were wrapped around the placards. They could have been chains etc which were just holding the placards together so they were easy to carry before handing out. Or they might have been for another purpose.

One side is mistaken or lying. Who knows, which it is?

People have the right to peaceful protest - and peaceful doesn't mean standing there like a dummy. And the police have gone in there with their hobnail boots on many occasions going back years. Often their arrests have resulted in few, or sometimes no charges, but the protest is ended anyway. But they also have to police it which includes preventing an obstruction.

I don't know.

Unless they happened to do it on private land where it might be possible to arrest someone for this, if they were on public land it's appalling.

Distrust in the police is low. This just serves to make it lower. And to make people angrier.

Trouble is the protesters wont be monitoring who joins them and therefore could be infiltrated by people who want to do serious harm, not to the RF they wont get near them but possibly to innocent bystanders. Its good they were stopped

When is a better time to protest the coronation than on the day of the coronation?

Maybe all protests should be banned, just in case.

I thought there was a place specifically for them to protest that they were allowed to be in? It’s really important that they’re allowed to protest - not violently or aggressively or injure any one or really seriously disrupt but exercise their rights.

Ah right so there's like a protest section? Good idea

There was supposed to be a place for people to protest.

What an awful country. I despair.

Down With The Crown
#NotMyKing

There was talk this morning about this Coronation bringing the country together

Acts like this don't help.

They bring people together in either
Shared annoyance about those nasty violent protestors who want to kill the king!
Or shared outrage at the law. Either way creating solidarity!

Protest on any other day. They shouldn’t be allowed to ruin this day for people. Or if they do want to protest today then do it somewhere else.

From Republic’s website:

Most people in the UK believe in democratic values and the importance of democracy in creating a prosperous and fair society. These principles and values matter. So our national institutions should reflect and celebrate those values, and live up to the highest standards of openness and accountability.

The monarchy stands firmly against these principles, instead representing exclusion, elitism and hereditary power and privilege at the expense of everyone else. It forces us to compromise our commitment to democracy to make room for this feudal institution.

It’s not on to protest at the coronation. It’s a useless and embarrassing action today and I’m glad these people were arrested. I’m indifferent to the monarchy, but I do think that it was right to arrest these people. They are in a tiny minority and they are not being hurt or oppressed by having Charles as king.

This country is so fucked right now.

Anyone should be able to turn up and say they're not happy with a publicly funded monarchy, or a monarchy full stop.

When did the UK become so utterly unable to hear a dissenting view without having an absolute meltdown?

Let people say whatever they want about whatever they want, including views that might be considered offensive or horrible, as long as its not inciting violence.

I fundamentally disagree. Charles and his ilk should not be shielded from protest or disagreement - that has shades of dictatorship. We should not be frightened to directly demonstrate in front of those with power.

Freedom of speech?
British values?

We have lost the right to lecture other countries on their behaviour.

They can protest peacefully. Why should people with huge placards and megaphones ruin other people's enjoyment?

They can protest peacefully with small signs, but their rights do not trump others rights. It's nothing to do with free speech, you've only to look at social media. Free speech is alive and well.

Discusting from Tory Gov and the Police. If Police ever strike over pay they should arrest themselves. Twats.

They're in a public space, they have a right to express their views. You don't have a right to go out into public and be protected from hearing and seeing things you don't like.

Blame this unprincipled, desperate, extremist cabal of a government, which brought in these draconian new laws. And FFS, stop voting Tory!

Of course we should let them protest peacefully but, let's face it, the chances of that happening are low. There are going to be families there today with children. Would you let a growling dog into a room with a child saying I'm sure it will be ok? We will take a chance?

A protest I saw on tv was megaphones and huge signs. Not peaceful. Anyone protesting at anything and ruining it for others piss me off. Those twats gluing themselves to the highway or climbing up high buildings, all need arresting,