Arrests Made Ahead Of King Charles III Coronation

EKO HOT BLOG reports that London witnessed a dramatic display of dissent today as anti-monarchy protesters flooded the streets of central London just hours before the eagerly anticipated coronation of King Charles III.

Reports indicate that activists affiliated with the group Republic orchestrated a march along the designated route of the royal procession, with hundreds of demonstrators converging on Trafalgar Square for a scheduled rally.

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Under the banner of “Not My King” the protesters aimed to vehemently voice their opposition to the monarchy while the royal procession made its way through the city.

Dressed in eye-catching yellow T-shirts bearing the inscription “Not My King,” the activists encountered a robust police presence. Several protesters, including Republic CEO Graham Smith, were taken into custody, as evidenced by video footage shared on Twitter.

The precise reasons behind the arrests remain unclear, although speculation suggests that the possession of a megaphone by one of the protesters may have triggered the police intervention.

Luke Whiting, a 26-year-old Republic activist, expressed deep concern regarding the arrests. In a statement to the PA news agency, he revealed, “Six Republic members, including our CEO, were apprehended as the demonstration commenced on the outskirts of Trafalgar Square.

The organisers of the #notmyking protest have been arrested – police won’t say what for pic.twitter.com/qu5JgNhCgF

— Alliance of European Republican Movements (@AERMorg) May 6, 2023

The motives behind the arrests are unclear, but it seems that one individual may have been carrying a megaphone. It remains uncertain whether the police are employing their newfound powers and potentially misusing them to suppress peaceful protests.”

Social media posts from activist Shelly Asquith shed further light on the events, featuring images of demonstrators being questioned by police officers. Asquith expressed her outrage, stating, “Outrageous scenes as police arrest anti-monarchy protesters and confiscate their placards. Are we not allowed to publicly oppose the crowning of an individual as head of state solely due to their unimaginable wealth, while people struggle at food banks and schools crumble?”

The Metropolitan Police had previously cautioned demonstrators, stressing their unwavering commitment to swiftly address any disruptions and underscoring their “extremely low threshold” for tolerance. Offenders were warned that they would face immediate and decisive action.

This stern approach follows recent incidents where protests organized by groups such as Just Stop Oil and animal rights activists caused significant disruptions in central London and during the Grand National, leading to widespread inconvenience and disturbance.

As the momentous coronation of King Charles III looms nearer, tensions continue to escalate within the city of London. While staunch monarchists eagerly anticipate the historic event, anti-monarchy activists are resolute in making their voices heard, demanding a comprehensive re-evaluation of the monarchy’s role in modern society.

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With the situation rapidly evolving, all eyes remain fixed on the ongoing protests and the subsequent response from the authorities as the city grapples with a deeply divided public opinion concerning the monarchy and its future.

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