UK anti-monarchists released from custody after King Charles’ coronation
- The leader of anti-monarchy group Republic and 51 other members were arrested on Saturday; they said they began to be released after nearly 16 hours in custody
- ‘Make no mistake. There is no longer a right to peaceful protest in the UK’, said group leader, amid questions over whether police response was over the top
The leader of anti-monarchy group Republic and other members were released from custody after hours of detention during Saturday’s coronation of Britain’s King Charles that raised questions over whether the police response had been proportionate.
Police arrested the leader of Republic, Graham Smith, and 51 others in central London while thousands of royal fans were gathering in the streets for the event, saying their duty to prevent disruption outweighed the right to protest.
Republic said that detained members began to be released late on Saturday evening, after nearly 16 hours in custody.
“I’m now out of the police station … Make no mistake. There is no longer a right to peaceful protest in the UK,” Smith said on Twitter.
“I have been told many times the monarch is there to defend our freedoms. Now our freedoms are under attack in his name.”
The police said on Saturday that they understood public concern following the arrests, but said they acted after receiving information that protesters were determined to disrupt the coronation procession.
09:11
Britain’s King Charles III is officially crowned in ceremony watched by millions