Republicans are getting arrested

[carmenitapink]

I find it ridiculous that the media mocks North Korea for forcing its citizens to mourn their leaders death, yet we are being made to do the same.

To top it off, there have been numerous arrests of people protesting the monarchy - which is perfectly within their right to do so, especially if you believe in democracy and only having elected leaders.

amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/sep/12/republican-britain-why-are-people-getting-arrested

I liked and respected the Queen, but don't like the rest of the royal family and find the idea that they have the "divine" right to rule frankly ridiculous in this day and age. What is Britain becoming when people don't have the free speech to protest about it?!

It’s absolutely chilling that people are being arrested and charged for holding u0 signs and for heckling

This is the Guardian isn't it? Are they not quite supportive of punitive actions when people write or say something that they don't like?

Agreed. While I think that heckling etc. is disrespectful and totally out of place right now, I'm disgusted that people are being arrested for it. 'Breach of the peace', no, freedom of speech.

I believe there has always been zero tolerance of protests at funerals and memorial services. Seems the right thing to do.

There's a time and a place to protest. Those aren't it.

I agree Op. It may well be an abhorrent thing to do at a funeral or memorial, but it shouldn't be an arrestable offence.

Turns out people only really support freedom of speech if the speaker doesn't hold views that oppose their own.

But these protests are not at a funeral or memorial service, are they?

No one is being forced to mourn the Queen or attend any of the ceremonies for the new King. Not one single person is forced to go, or watch it, or read about it.

But your rights end where others rights begin. Everyone also has the right to mourn the Queen and attend ceremonies for the new King without fear of harassment from hecklers and so-called protesters.

If you don’t agree with the monarchy, don’t go to the events. Write your MP…it’s Parliament who rule the country. They chopped off one Kings head, they’re the only ones that can abolish it if that’s what you really want. Sit outside Parliament with your picket signs.

But the right to protest doesn’t mean you have a right to heckle and hold up obscene signs harassing other people, your equals, who wish to mourn the Queen or pay respects to the new King during those public ceremonies. I think arresting such people is the correct thing to do as it is a breach of the peace and an affront to public order.

They only arrest them if they refuse to cease and desist. They are given fair warning.

They're making scenes and spectacles of themselves at events of mourning even if not a funeral itself where are they at normal events relating to the royals? Maybe they're being arrested for their own safety as they're actions at this time are offensively misjudged in a sea of people there not sharing their views

rather than showing themselves up in the presence of a grieving family maybe they should show some respect and compassion for their loss if not the institution itself and find a better time to make their point

The fact that (some) people don't see the issue...is the issue!

The likelihood is they were taken away for their own safety. Very much doubt they will be charged with anything

Well they’ve got the attention they were craving.

This.
imagine the anger at the moment

All for freedom of speech but really people believe it’s ok to do that at the mourning of the Queen
Why so people think this is ok ?

Considering that Andrew now hides from the public and has been doing since the truth about him came out, I think that this rare and inappropriate public appearance by an abhorrent man was the perfect time for protest.
Very frightening that people want to shut down freedom of speech in this country, especially (logically) protesting against a pedophile going on parade!

Well said. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

He’s mourning his mother! There is nothing inappropriate about him being present. Even convicted mass murderers and child rapists locked up in prison get to go under escort to their mothers funerals.

Besides you start allowing protestors at funerals and memorial events and you end up with shit like this. Imagine a group of people waving signs like this at your mothers funeral events.

Public events surrounding the monarchy and in this case, the monarchist transfer of power through inheritance, are the most appropriate setting for an anti-monarchy protest. The best time to proclaim that you don't agree with a king is at the proclamation of a new king.

This is not a private memorial and funeral. The rituals surrounding this burial and funeral are in themselves a deeply political monarchist spectacle.

I don’t agree. Go protest outside Parliament. Protesting in front of a bunch of people who have no power to change any of it is just plain old harassment and trolling.

We went to the palace at the weekend and to be honest, if the crowds where he was heckling was the same as the ones in Green Park, it's an irresponsible place to do it.

There was very little room and lots of very old and young children. Not to mentioned other people with mobility issues. Whilst there were security / St. John's ambulance etc if someone had got into an argument it could have become very scary very quickly.

I completely support freedom of speech but there's a time and a place and this was not it. Can't they arrange an event somewhere where they can protest in peace?

There is a time and a place for everything. Protesting at a state procession for our departed Monarch is a vile thing to do. They should be ashamed.

That should say old people and young children!

your rights end where others rights begin. Everyone also has the right to mourn the Queen and attend ceremonies for the new King without fear of harassment from hecklers and so-called protesters.

Read the article. They weren't protesting at memorials (which I agree would justify arrest), they were protesting protesting proclamations, which are political events announcing the new head of state.

Saying the police are right to arrest people for lawful behaviour is a really bad idea.