British police came under fire Tuesday from civil liberties groups for their handling of anti-monarchy protesters who have publicly challenged King Charles III’s accession to the throne and the base of public support for the royal family. .
Footage went viral on social media on Monday of a female protester holding a “Not My King” protest placard being confronted by at least four officers outside Britain’s Parliament in London.
It was seen being carried away from the venue, and was reportedly parked at another location, away from the gates of Parliament.
Lawyer and environmental activist Paul Paulsland also wrote on Twitter that he had been warned by an officer that he was at risk of arrest after holding up a blank piece of paper in front of Parliament.
“They confirmed that if I wrote ‘Not My King’ on it, they would arrest me under the Public Order Act because someone might be offended,” she wrote alongside the video, which shows her talking to an officer. has been shown to do.
Just went to Parliament Square & held up a blank piece of paper. Officer came & asked for my details. He confirmed that if I wrote “Not My King” on it, he would arrest me under the Public Order Act because someone might be offended.
— Paul Powlesland (@paulpowlesland) September 12, 2022
Britain is in national mourning for Queen Elizabeth II, with the death of the 96-year-old monarch sparking a rare moment of national unity amid outpourings of sympathy for the royal family.
But it has also raised questions about the space for dissent, with several civil liberties groups warning that police are failing to respect the rights of a small minority of dissenters.
“If people are being arrested simply for carrying protest placards, it is an affront to democracy and very likely to be illegal,” Big Brother Watch said in a statement.
“Police officers have a duty to protect people’s right to protest as much as they have a duty to facilitate people’s right to support, express grief or respect.”
In another incident, a 45-year-old man was arrested in Oxford, southern England, on Sunday after he shouted “Who elected him?” During the public proclamation of the accession of Charles III.
Judy Beck, from the Liberty campaign group, said the right to protest was “an important part of a healthy and functioning democracy.”
“It is very alarming to see the police using their broad powers in such a heavy-handed and punitive manner to curtail freedom of speech and expression,” he said in a statement.
‘fundamental right’
London’s Metropolitan Police Force appeared to acknowledge the overzealous actions of some officers late on Monday.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said that people have every right to protest.
“We are currently making clear to all officers involved in this extraordinary policing operation and we will continue to do so.”
The Queen’s coffin was put on public display for the first time in Edinburgh on Monday after a silent procession in which a teenager was seen shouting at the Queen’s second son, Prince Andrew, as he walked behind the coffin.
The heckler, who called Andrew a “sick old man” over his links to American pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, was shown being bundled up and escorted away by police.
Bystanders shouted “God save the king!” He reacted by shouting slogans.
Police Scotland confirmed that two men had been arrested on Monday and charged with public order offences.
Another woman has also reportedly been charged for holding up an “end to the monarchy” sign at a proclamation ceremony for King Charles III in Edinburgh on Sunday.
“Obviously this is a period of national mourning for the majority of the country, the vast, vast majority,” a spokesman for Prime Minister Liz Truss told reporters in London on Tuesday.
But the fundamental right to protest is the keystone of our democracy.
The UK Public Order Act of 1986 gives the police powers of arrest for those found guilty of “harassing, alarming or causing distress” by “threatening words or behaviour, or indecent behaviour”. Goes, including holding signs.
The right-wing Conservative government faced sharp criticism from civil liberties groups earlier this year over a new policing law that increased the power of security forces to curb protests.
A total of 54% thought it was “good” for the country.
