'Right to protest peacefully in UK no longer exists,' says Graham Smith who was among arrested in London ahead of coronation ceremony
Burak Bir |07.05.2023
Credit: Twitter @RepublicStaff
LONDON
Arrest of anti-monarchy protesters is "a direct attack" on the UK's democracy, Britain's leading republican group said on Sunday.
"The right to protest peacefully in the UK no longer exists. Instead we have a freedom to protest that is contingent on political decisions made by ministers and senior police officers," Graham Smith, the chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic, said in a statement.
Six Republic protesters, including Smith, were arrested in central London ahead of the coronation of King Charles III. Police also seized hundreds of signs reading "Not My King." They were released late on Saturday.
"Crown is one part of the country's "failing constitution" that concentrates too much power "at the expense of parliament and people," he asserted.
Reiterating their demand for "a fundamental shift" in power, Smith vowed to keep protesting the monarchy.
"We will not be deterred from further protest ... As much as possible we will continue to protest wherever Charles goes, wherever William goes," he said.
"We will continue to protest with one simple message: Charles is not our king, it is time to abolish the monarchy," added Smith.
Coronation
In the country's first coronation service in nearly 70 years, Britain's King Charles III on Saturday was crowned along with Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey, the site of coronations in Britain since 1066 – nearly a millennium ago.
Following the coronation service conducted by the archbishop of Canterbury, the senior bishop of the Church of England, Charles was crowned with the historical St. Edward's Crown, while Queen Camilla wore a modified version of the Crown of Queen Mary, fashioned in 1911.
He is the 40th British monarch to take the traditional Oath of Faithful Service.
Charles ascended the throne on Sept. 8, 2022, following the death of his long-serving mother Queen Elizabeth II.
LONDON
Arrest of anti-monarchy protesters is "a direct attack" on the UK's democracy, Britain's leading republican group said on Sunday.
"The right to protest peacefully in the UK no longer exists. Instead we have a freedom to protest that is contingent on political decisions made by ministers and senior police officers," Graham Smith, the chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic, said in a statement.
Six Republic protesters, including Smith, were arrested in central London ahead of the coronation of King Charles III. Police also seized hundreds of signs reading "Not My King." They were released late on Saturday.
"Crown is one part of the country's "failing constitution" that concentrates too much power "at the expense of parliament and people," he asserted.
Reiterating their demand for "a fundamental shift" in power, Smith vowed to keep protesting the monarchy.
"We will not be deterred from further protest ... As much as possible we will continue to protest wherever Charles goes, wherever William goes," he said.
"We will continue to protest with one simple message: Charles is not our king, it is time to abolish the monarchy," added Smith.
Coronation
In the country's first coronation service in nearly 70 years, Britain's King Charles III on Saturday was crowned along with Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey, the site of coronations in Britain since 1066 – nearly a millennium ago.
Following the coronation service conducted by the archbishop of Canterbury, the senior bishop of the Church of England, Charles was crowned with the historical St. Edward's Crown, while Queen Camilla wore a modified version of the Crown of Queen Mary, fashioned in 1911.
He is the 40th British monarch to take the traditional Oath of Faithful Service.
Charles ascended the throne on Sept. 8, 2022, following the death of his long-serving mother Queen Elizabeth II.
Anti-Monarchy Group Slams Coronation Arrests And Vows To Continue Protesting
"We will continue to protest with one simple message: Charles is not our king, it is time to abolish the monarchy."
Sophia Sleigh
A policeman is seen carrying a banner taken away from protesters during an Anti-monarchist protest during King Charles III's Coronation.
SOPA IMAGES VIA GETTY IMAGES
“Each and every police officer involved on the ground should hang their heads in shame. They showed no judgement, no common sense and no basic decency.
“This was a heavy handed action which had the appearance of a pre-determined arrest that would have occurred regardless of the evidence or our actions.
“The right to protest peacefully in the UK no longer exists. Instead we have a freedom to protest that is contingent on political decisions made by ministers and senior police officers.”
Smith said the arrests had “destroyed” whatever trust might have existed between peaceful protesters and the Met Police.
He questioned what was the point in the protesters being “open and candid with the police, working with their liaison officers and meeting senior commanders” if this is what happens.
A protester holds a placard which states 'This country is ours' during the demonstration.
SOPA IMAGES VIA GETTY IMAGES
The campaigner insisted they would not be deterred from further protest, adding: “We will continue to protest with one simple message: Charles is not our king, it is time to abolish the monarchy.”
However, culture secretary Lucy Frazer insisted the police got the “balance right” and denied that officers had gone too far.
She told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge: “I think, overall, they managed to get that balance right.”
Home secretary Suella Braverman also praised the police for their actions, tweeting: “I’m incredibly grateful to the police for all their hard work at today’s coronation celebration to ensure it was safe and passed without incident.”
Met Police commander Karen Findlay acknowledged concerns about the arrest of protesters but defended Scotland Yard’s actions, saying: “Our duty is to do so in a proportionate manner”.
Protestors from the group Republic gather in their hundreds in Trafalgar square to say 'Not My King' in central London.
ANDREW AITCHISON VIA GETTY IMAGES
She said: “We absolutely understand public concern following the arrests we made [on Saturday 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 Met said it received information that protesters were “determined to disrupt” the coronation – including defacing public monuments with paint, breaching barriers and disrupting official movements.
They confirmed 52 people were arrested for affray, public order offenses, breach of the peace and conspiracy to cause a public nuisance around the coronation.
Under the controversial new Public Order Act, protesters who have an object with the intention of using it to “lock on” are liable to a fine, with those who block roads facing 12 months in prison.
"We will continue to protest with one simple message: Charles is not our king, it is time to abolish the monarchy."
Sophia Sleigh
HUFFPOST
May 7, 2023
Protesters and Graham Smith from Republic, pictured above.
GETTY
Furious republicans have told the police to “hang their heads in shame” after protesters were arrested at King Charles’ coronation.
Graham Smith, CEO of anti-monarchy group Republic, said the right to protest peacefully in the UK “no longer exists.”
He blasted the Met Police for showing “no judgement, no common sense and no basic decency” after scores of demonstrators were arrested on Saturday
Smith described it as a “direct attack on our democracy and the fundamental rights of every person in the country.”
He was arrested among 52 people during the king’s coronation on Saturday before being released after nearly 16 hours in police custody.
The Metropolitan Police Service has faced criticism after more than 50 people were arrested for alleged affray, public nuisance and breach-of-the-peace offenses.
The arrests were described by human rights organizations as a “dangerous precedent” for a democratic nation.
In a statement following his release, Smith said: “Yesterday, as we prepared for a peaceful and lawful protest, a number of Republic’s team were arrested and detained for the rest of the day.
“These arrests are a direct attack on our democracy and the fundamental rights of every person in the country.
May 7, 2023
Protesters and Graham Smith from Republic, pictured above.
GETTY
Furious republicans have told the police to “hang their heads in shame” after protesters were arrested at King Charles’ coronation.
Graham Smith, CEO of anti-monarchy group Republic, said the right to protest peacefully in the UK “no longer exists.”
He blasted the Met Police for showing “no judgement, no common sense and no basic decency” after scores of demonstrators were arrested on Saturday
Smith described it as a “direct attack on our democracy and the fundamental rights of every person in the country.”
He was arrested among 52 people during the king’s coronation on Saturday before being released after nearly 16 hours in police custody.
The Metropolitan Police Service has faced criticism after more than 50 people were arrested for alleged affray, public nuisance and breach-of-the-peace offenses.
The arrests were described by human rights organizations as a “dangerous precedent” for a democratic nation.
In a statement following his release, Smith said: “Yesterday, as we prepared for a peaceful and lawful protest, a number of Republic’s team were arrested and detained for the rest of the day.
“These arrests are a direct attack on our democracy and the fundamental rights of every person in the country.
A policeman is seen carrying a banner taken away from protesters during an Anti-monarchist protest during King Charles III's Coronation.
SOPA IMAGES VIA GETTY IMAGES
“Each and every police officer involved on the ground should hang their heads in shame. They showed no judgement, no common sense and no basic decency.
“This was a heavy handed action which had the appearance of a pre-determined arrest that would have occurred regardless of the evidence or our actions.
“The right to protest peacefully in the UK no longer exists. Instead we have a freedom to protest that is contingent on political decisions made by ministers and senior police officers.”
Smith said the arrests had “destroyed” whatever trust might have existed between peaceful protesters and the Met Police.
He questioned what was the point in the protesters being “open and candid with the police, working with their liaison officers and meeting senior commanders” if this is what happens.
A protester holds a placard which states 'This country is ours' during the demonstration.
SOPA IMAGES VIA GETTY IMAGES
The campaigner insisted they would not be deterred from further protest, adding: “We will continue to protest with one simple message: Charles is not our king, it is time to abolish the monarchy.”
However, culture secretary Lucy Frazer insisted the police got the “balance right” and denied that officers had gone too far.
She told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge: “I think, overall, they managed to get that balance right.”
Home secretary Suella Braverman also praised the police for their actions, tweeting: “I’m incredibly grateful to the police for all their hard work at today’s coronation celebration to ensure it was safe and passed without incident.”
Met Police commander Karen Findlay acknowledged concerns about the arrest of protesters but defended Scotland Yard’s actions, saying: “Our duty is to do so in a proportionate manner”.
Protestors from the group Republic gather in their hundreds in Trafalgar square to say 'Not My King' in central London.
ANDREW AITCHISON VIA GETTY IMAGES
She said: “We absolutely understand public concern following the arrests we made [on Saturday 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 Met said it received information that protesters were “determined to disrupt” the coronation – including defacing public monuments with paint, breaching barriers and disrupting official movements.
They confirmed 52 people were arrested for affray, public order offenses, breach of the peace and conspiracy to cause a public nuisance around the coronation.
Under the controversial new Public Order Act, protesters who have an object with the intention of using it to “lock on” are liable to a fine, with those who block roads facing 12 months in prison.
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