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    Arrest of UK anti-royal protesters raises free speech concerns Archived Message

    Posted by Gerard on September 14, 2022, 11:19 am

    "British police have faced criticism from activists and civil liberties groups over their treatment of people who have publicly challenged King Charles III‘s accession to the throne after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, raising free speech concerns.

    A woman in Edinburgh holding a sign reading “F*** imperialism, abolish the monarchy” was charged with a breach of the peace while another woman in London was moved from the gates of Parliament while carrying a “Not my king” sign.
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    In recent days, police have arrested people protesting against the monarchy, raising questions about the authorities’ upholding of the freedom of speech. A man was charged with a breach of the peace after he heckled Prince Andrew as the queen’s hearse travelled through the Scottish capital.

    In Oxford, peace activist Symon Hill was handcuffed after he shouted “Who elected him?” referring to Charles being proclaimed new king.
    BRITAIN-ROYALS-QUEEN-DEATH-POLICE-PROTEST
    Anti-Royalist protesters hold up blank placards in a demonstration against the way their protests are being policed in Edinburgh [Oli Scarff/AFP]

    Hill said he was put into a police van by officers who told him he was being detained for alleged behaviour that could cause “harassment, alarm or distress”. He was later released, but could still face questioning.

    “The police abused their powers to arrest someone who voiced some mild opposition to a head of state being appointed undemocratically,” he said.

    The Edinburgh woman holding the sign was arrested at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh, where the queen’s coffin was kept before it was flown to London on Tuesday. “Let her go! It’s free speech!” one man yelled, reported The Scotsman daily.

    Lawyer Paul Powlesland said he was questioned by police outside Parliament on Monday while carrying a blank piece of paper on which he, too, planned to write “Not my king.”

    In footage shot by Powlesland, an officer is heard saying “it may offend someone” if he wrote the words. Powlesland called the police behaviour “outrageous.”

    NotMyKing has become a trending hashtag on Twitter." https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/13/arrest-of-uk-anti-royals-raises-questions-about-freedom-of-speech

    This is what years of neoliberalism do..events though mark my words..there will be "events"!

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