Concerns about an end to peaceful protest

The pre-coronation arrest of anti-monarchy campaigners has raised concerns about civil liberties

The right to protest is, of course, widely seen as a fundamental human right, and one of the key principles underpinning democracy.

For example it is listed as Article 11 in the European Convention. See this explainer from Liberty here.

But just this weekend dozens of protesters were arrested before the coronation of Charles III, having apparently done nothing wrong.

According to the Guardian:

"Scotland Yard has been accused of an “incredibly alarming” attack on the right to protest after police used new powers to arrest the head of the leading republican movement and other organisers of an approved demonstration just hours before King Charles III’s coronation.

Graham Smith, the chief executive of Republic, had been collecting drinks and placards for demonstrators at the main site of the protest on Trafalgar Square two hours before the king was due to arrive at Westminster Abbey when he was stopped along with five others by police on nearby St Martin’s Lane."

If you want to know more about the group, see here.

There is also a link to a video below.

And before that another video (Twitter required) which illustrates how it seems that a comment that some people regraded as lunacy, was actually scarily prophetic!!