The arrests of anti-monarchists ahead of the King's coronation have been decried as"incredibly alarming" and"authoritarian" by human rights and civil liberties groups.
Republic chief executive Graham Smith was among those detained near Trafalgar Square, before he had a chance to wave the signs declaring "Not my king".Republic's director Harry Stratton, said activists were carrying placards near Trafalgar Square when around 20 officers stopped and searched them. Veteran rights campaigner Peter Tatchell accused the force of breaking a promise to permit the anti-monarchy protest.
"This depends on the context. The coronation is a once-in-a-generation event and that is a key consideration in our assessment." "Peaceful protests allow individuals to hold those in power to account - something the UK government seems increasingly averse to."The arrests came just days after UK police forces were controversially granted new anti-protest powers by the government following years of disruptive demonstrations by environmental activists.