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.

I'm a lifetime protester. I know the difference between my " right to protest in a healthy democracy", and deliberate sabotage of lawful events in order to incitement public disorder with a total disregard for safety.

These people are the equivalent of shouting fire in a theatre, skinheads at Gay Pride; Prolifers harrassing patients and staff at abortion clinics, justified as "their right to protest".

On one of the biggest security operations Britain has ever seen, any one stupid enough to openly threaten the occasion, or challenge the police is just inviting arrest.

Exactly. It is not an every day occurrence. The policing and security of an event like this means that it is not feasible to have staff and officers diverted mid way through the day to resolve spats in the crowds which WOULD have happened should the protestors have become integrated with the supporters of the coronation. With two sides feeling extremely strongly (as is their right) it could have led to multiple altercations. If the protestors had stayed in their allocated position, then this would have been ok. But they moved. And it is zero tolerance today. Would have thought the reasons for that were obvious. Perhaps the protestors can have a Not My King day, and make their point that way.

They can arrest the extinction rebellion people now too, it’s all part of this new law that the head scrounger signed off on Tuesday.

Police say they had lock on devices.

Or maybe something to support the placards in the van?

I think this is going to backfire massively. I wonder what Charles thinks?

Very well put. Thank you.

Glad I'm not the only one wondering this!

If they're ruining other people's enjoyment of the event and refusing to leave if asked, they deserve to be arrested. If protesters went into a theatre and started shouting about how much they hated the performer, how he fraternised with paedophiles, they'd be arrested too. And rightfully so.

It had been agreed with police beforehand that protesters could be in Trafalgar Square. There were several meetings with Republic about it.

I wish they would arrest the Extinction rebellion and Just Stop Oil protestors when they glue themselves to the road to deliberately disrupt the lives of many. They should be allowed to protest to their hearts content in a big field miles from nowhere. It's not about their protest it's them just wanting to spoil things for the masses.

A theatre is private property. This is public streets.

Wouldn't it be great if we could just view this like a rugby match? You have the supporter of the home team, and the people who don't support the home team. They're both vigorous and noisy and visible in their support (or dissent) but not violent, and there is appropriate security to deal with things IF AND WHEN they get violent.

And both sets of supporters go home having enjoyed being able to cheer and boo and chant for whichever team they wanted. There can actually be camaraderie in opposition if its approached with the right spirit.

That would be a healthy democratic way for these protests to be viewed and managed.

hear hear

I wish they'd just leave them glued to the road. They really are a waste of space.

This is what North Korea does. Arrest any dissenters before big events.

was just wondering this myself!

They were unloading placards in Trafalger Square.

Which is like someone outside the theatre and a few streets away protesting.

You've made a few contributions to this discussion but your attempt to compare today's protest to Stop the Oil protests and tactics is sneaky and dishonest.
On your other points, the protest area was agreed in advance and it is a tiny space in a long route.
Placards and megaphones have always been parts of protest. Since when we're they 'not peaceful'? If people object there is a huge area available for them to distance themselves from those protesting.

The attempts by a few on here to shut the right to protest down is worrying. A protest against a privileged, unelected, unaccountable family.
Freedom of speech and the right to protest should be sacrosanct

The arrests are widely reported abroad. It looks terrible

It'd be the same if someone was disrupting an event in a public space. An open air theatre performance for instance. Or something like the London Marathon.

But it is not a competition. It is a coronation. So there is no home or away supporters.

No dissent allowed.

In a democracy you've a right to protest.

Off topic, but why is everything bold on this thread???

Absolutely this. Thank you.

Support the king or be arrested.

All "the celebs" just reduce this to a Hollywood extravaganza paid for by the UK taxpayer.

Still utterly disgusted.