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.

The met arresting women for carrying rape alarms.

Not a good look when a number of your officers have Been charged with rape.

There needs to be an investigation but more so it needs a clear out from top to bottom.

It's got a mention on Laura K.

CNN having a balanced report.

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/06/uk/king-charles-anti-monarchy-protest-arrests-ckc-gbr-intl/index.html

Operationally independent, big event, tough decisions,
But supports right to protest

More tough questions could have been asked of the Tory Minister

The met police absolutely disgust me. How can they be brought to account?

Republic are totally peaceful and seeking to act within the law to effect change by democratic means

This is precisely the point - I wouldn't be a member if they weren't - and also why they cooperated with the authorities in planning their presence, only to find it became entrapment

There's admittedly an issue in that any protest group can attract less rational and even criminally minded types, but in that case these should be arrested if they break the law and the rest left alone

And interesting that hardly any of the "a good thing too" advocates have commented on what happens if it's a cause that they support, or if protests involve a group with protected characteristics ...

Met Police statement on arresting people who were distributing rape alarms

UPDATE: Three people arrested in Soho ahead of Coronation | Metropolitan Police

We received intelligence that indicated groups and individuals seeking to disrupt today’s Coronation proceedings were planning to use rape alarms to disrupt the procession.

There was particular concern from military colleagues that this would scare their horses involved in the procession and, as a result, cause significant risk to the safety of the public and the riders.
At approx. 02:00hrs this morning, three people were stopped by officers and arrested in the Soho area on suspicion of conspiracy to commit public nuisance. Among items seized were a number of rape alarms.
The three people – a 37-year-old woman, a 59-year-old woman and a 47-year-old man – were taken to a south London police station, where they were questioned. The 47-year-old man was also further arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods.
All three have since been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said: “The intelligence we received led us to be extremely worried about the potential risk to public safety. We are aware of and understand there is public concern over these arrests. However, the matter is still under investigation.”

Met Police statement on the other arrests

Over the past 24 hours there has been a significant police operation after we received information protesters were determined to disrupt the Coronation procession.

This included information that individuals would attempt to deface public monuments with paint, breach barriers and disrupt the official movements.
Earlier this week we said our tolerance for any disruption, whether through protest or otherwise, will be low and that we would deal robustly with anyone intent on undermining the celebration.

A total of 52 arrests have been made today for offences including affray, public order offences, breach of the peace and conspiracy to cause a public nuisance. All of these people remain in custody.

We continue to engage with organisers of a static demonstration taking place in Trafalgar Square, close to the junction with Whitehall.

Commander Findlay added: "We absolutely understand public concern following the arrests we made this morning.

"Protest is lawful and it can be disruptive. We have policed numerous protests without intervention in the build-up to the Coronation, and during it.

"Our duty is to do so in a proportionate manner in line with relevant legislation. We also have a duty to intervene when protest becomes criminal and may cause serious disruption.

“This depends on the context. The Coronation is a once in a generation event and that is a key consideration in our assessment
“A protest involving large numbers has gone ahead today with police knowledge and no intervention.”

The King's Coronation - thank you | Metropolitan Police

This is what policing is then there is a chance someone might do something.

Maybe the met ought to arrest their selves, seeing it is believed their ranks have hundreds of corrupt officers in the ranks.

I'd laugh at the phrase 'received intelligence' if it weren't so terrifying. It basically means 'someone did a What If and we rolled with it and didn't think'.

They should have arrested Andrew for impersonation of a person of importance when he is in fact a low life pond scum-sucker. He's a gift horse for Republicanism though so there is that.

I wonder if the police will say what the "lock up" devices they found in the Republic van were.

This episode is of course a massive recruiting Sergeant for Republic and only further erodes trust and confidence in the police.

Australian TV said they were arrested because they might "disrupt public order and conspiracy to cause a public nuisance" and Police arrested the leader of an anti-monarchy group and 51 other protesters at King Charles III's coronation, saying their duty to prevent disruption outweighed the right to protest.'

And a large barrier was put up to screen off protesters who had gathered at the agreed protest area.

The rebellious plebs equivalent of the anointing screen so that Royalists and more importantly the Royal family don't have to view the righteous wrath of some of their realm who have the audacity to question their authority and profligacy.

Someone from Republic said it was straps or string holding the placards together whilst the van was being driven to stop them sliding about all over the place in the back of the van.

Republic have never done anything remotely like glueing themselves to anywhere. The Police used it as an excuse.

So two women in Westminster arrested at 2am for having a rape alarm. I hope this comes back to bite them on the arse.

Press reports said weeks ago he would not be in ceremonial dress Order of the Garter etc.

He looked like a Christmas tree dressed up in the whole garb. Another lie. But there was booing for him as he travelled to the Abbey.
Good.

They lie constantly, They knew there would be outrage beforehand if people knew he would be wearing ceremonial dress.

Republic have neverdone anything remotely like glueing themselves to anywhere. The Police used it as an excuse

Exactly. The Tory Minister this morning was clearly trying to link the arrests to the protests that have occurred recently with the locking on and road disruption that has happened.

@Roussette agreed republic are not a direct action group. I hope they sue the police for wrongful arrest.

Have the Met been taking tips off Mumsnet? I see "frightening the horses" has been seized upon, almost as if they don't know how they're trained

Still, any excuse has to be pressed into service I guess; I'd normally trust them to know better than most of us, but with the Met's record am not sure that's wise

The Tory Minister this morning was clearly trying to link the arrests to the protests that have occurred recently with the locking on and road disruption that has happened

Standard political tactic I'm afraid, except not just in politics ... conflate two issues and hope to get away with it, supported by those who'd rather look no further than a headline

Course he was. Because arresting women at 2am for carrying a rape alarm doesn't look good does it?

BBC report

Police made tough calls on Coronation arrests, says minister - BBC News

Ms Frazer said the right to protest was "really important" and people should be heard but there had been a recent change in protesters' tactics.
Protesters have been stopping people going about their day-to-day lives, she said, and there was a need to redress that balance. "People have the right to live their day-to-day life," she added
Officers would have made operational decisions on a case-by-case basis, she said, taking into account the scale of the Coronation celebrations.
"We were on the global stage, there were 200 foreign dignitaries in the UK, in London at an event, millions of people watching and hundreds of thousands of people at the scene," she added.

One can imagine the backstage tantrums which showed on Charles face as he waited for a minute longer than necessary. Andrew kicking off about clothes, Kate demanding a bespoke tiara, Camilla getting antzy at Charles Bridezilla moments and him demanding that stinking mob Republic be sorted out or heads would roll. Meanwhile, Harry free of the cares of the worlds jets in with a big grin and simple suit and a smile and whoosh off he goes again.

Boom !