King Charles’ Coronation: Yay, Nay or Meh? 👑

rubysong

Calendargirl (yesterday 12.31)
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent are very much working royals. Last year the Duke of Gloucester had 100 engagements, his Duchess 94 and the Duke of Kent 78. They had every right to be on the balcony.

I didn’t mean to offend, I was unaware they carried out so many engagements, particularly the Duke of Kent as he must be well in his 80’s and had a stroke a while back.

I certainly wasn’t implying they shouldn’t have been on the balcony. As cousins and contemporaries of the late Queen, I was pleased that they were included.

I watched a documentary recently about Princess Alexandra, and realised how many engagements both here and abroad she carried out in the 60’s and 70’s particularly.

A huge support to the late Queen.

Anniebach

If someone walks down a street carrying a knife the police must wait until they stab someone?

No one was carrying a dangerous weapon.

If there had been a violent disturbance the police could have been there very quickly.

WHat I actually suspect happened although I have no evidence is, that we know that the police had been in close conversation with the republicans for weeks before Saturday, and had agreed how the republicans would behave etc. the subsequent arrests made no sense.

I reckon Braverman’s hand is all over this and she issued orders to arrest etc.

Anniebach

If there had been a disturbance there would be demands of, where were the police?.

What disturbance from the volunteers and journalists?

annie do you not believe in the right to assemble?

If someone walks down a street carrying a knife the police must wait until they stab someone?

Exactly Anniebach.

If there had been a disturbance there would be demands of, where were the police?.

Calendargirl (yesterday 12.31)
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent are very much working royals. Last year the Duke of Gloucester had 100 engagements, his Duchess 94 and the Duke of Kent 78. They had every right to be on the balcony.

“Yesterday I got arrested whilst filming a @JustStop_Oil supporter holding a banner on the pavement near the coronation route. I'm a filmmaker and had my @BECTU press accreditation visible around my neck.

Police deemed this to be "conspiracy to commit a public nuisance".

Rich Felgate

Guess who trains the volunteers?

I note also that a journalist working for “Bye-lines” and covering the republicans protest was also arrested.

“Who funded the provision of these rape alarms? The Home Office. Yes, the same Home Office whose repressive new Public Order Act empowered the police to arrest the three volunteers on the vaguest suspicion”

We must agree to differ. Imagine the outcry and complaints about the police if these protesters were allowed to get going. If fights had broken out between protesters and outraged spectators or horses spooked by rape alarms had broken into the crowds? Police can't win. Incidentally there was good intelligence re these planned protests. It was not all innocent.

The group carrying rape alarms - and remember this was the night before the coronation do so to give out to young vulnerable women. They patrol London streets night in and night out, wearing Hi-viz jackets declaring who they are with Metropolitan police written across the jackets.

The police acted like idiots, and they know it.

You don't know there was a plan to set off alarms.
Not well done from me.

I suppose the police had to try to work out in advance a whole lot of 'what ifs'. If that lot with their industrial level of placards and banners had been allowed to infiltrate the happy crowds then the result would inevitably have been fights. Also the plan to set off rape alarms to upset the horses was dreadful.
Why would anyone want to set out to cause disruption and unpleasance for others enjoying a happy experience?
It's a well done from me to the police.

Allsorts freedom to protest is an important right in society. Quote from Amnesty International
"Throughout history, protests have been the driving force behind some of the most powerful social movements, exposing injustice and abuse, demanding accountability and inspiring people to keep hoping for a better future."

Anniebach

Smileless exactly. I went on quite a few demos, from Free Mandela , to Ban Foxhunting, never behaved as this lot do, even got arrested but not charged on one!

What behaviour are you talking about Anniebach?

A huge Yay from me. Loved it all

How did they behave? - they did not get a chance to behave well or badly - the police were in there making arrests.

I do understand that the coronation must have been the biggest of security nightmares and it is good that the event went off with no major incidents; but arresting people who are peacefully protesting is absolutely wrong in principle.

Smileless exactly. I went on quite a few demos, from Free Mandela , to Ban Foxhunting, never behaved as this lot do, even got arrested but not charged on one!

I agree Annie and with so many families there, it must have been a real concern about things taking a turn for the worse as so sadly often happens with what begins as a peaceful protest.

Anniebach

I support freedom of speech but what of the public who had to stand there listening to the hatred , so difficult for the police.

It is the right to assembly that is under threat, as well as freedom of speech.

I support freedom of speech but what of the public who had to stand there listening to the hatred , so difficult for the police.