Human Rights Watch denounced, Saturday, May 6, as ” incredibly disturbing » the arrests made by the London police ahead of the coronation of Charles III, including six anti-monarchy activists.
The police had warned that she would have a ” weaker » tolerance for attempts to disrupt the coronation of King Charles III. Dozens of arrests of anti-monarchy and environmental activists marred a historic day for the United Kingdom, which had not seen a coronation since that of Elizabeth II in 1953.
The police arrested six of our organizers and seized hundreds of signs struck with the slogan “Not my King” (not my king), told AFP a spokesperson for the Republic group, hundreds of supporters of which gathered early Saturday morning in Trafalgar Square, on the route of the procession. Republic President Graham Smith is among those arrested, the group said. A photo posted on Twitter shows him sitting on the ground. “ Free Graham Smith “, shouted the demonstrators on the spot, noted an AFP journalist.
“Abolish the Monarchy”
Around hundreds of activists, displaying signs “Citizens not Subjects” (citizens, not subjects) or “Abolish the Monarchy”, half-amused, half-stunned defenders of royalty answered them with a “God save the King”.
The environmental group Just Stop Oil also said that 19 of its activists had been arrested near the route planned for the procession. The group had planned to demonstrate on the occasion of the coronation to oppose the exploitation of hydrocarbons in the country. Authorities ” repress our legitimate right to demonstrate “, but “ we will continue to do everything possible without violence to get out of oil and gas “, said the group in a statement sent to AFP.
London police have confirmed seven arrests of people “ suspected of various offences, including disturbing public order and conspiring to disturb public order in the vicinity of the coronation “.
The NGO Human Rights Watch denounced these arrests. “ Reports of people being arrested for peacefully protesting the coronation are incredibly disturbing. It’s something you expect to see in Moscow, not London said the head of the organization in the United Kingdom, Yasmine Ahmed, in a statement.
Inaudible under the reign of Elizabeth II, who died last September, the republican movement intends to take advantage of the lesser popularity of Charles III to make its voice heard. According to a recent YouGov poll, the majority of Britons (58%) still favor keeping the monarchy, but that sentiment is declining among young people. Only 32% of 18-24 year olds are in favor compared to 38% who want an elected head of state (and 30% have no opinion).
(With AFP)