The police has apologised over the arrest of the republican group

The police have been accused in the past of not accessing the safety issues correctly, Hillsborough, Manchester Arena and many others, road closures and all sorts of inconvenience and disruption happens due to demonstrations and events.

Removing a few that were thought to be a threat is part of the job, if you get it wrong you apologize, well done the police.

Well said NanaDana!

NanaDana

I fully support the right to peaceful protest, provided it is non-violent, non-disruptive, and does not become a "public nuisance". So yes, it was most definitely a tough call for the Met on the day, for a once in a lifetime event for which tens of thousands of people had turned out and hoped to enjoy without undue interference. It appears that some protesters were carrying "lock-on devices" with which they could secure themselves to railings etc., plus, rape alarms were being distributed, which were going to be used to attempt to frighten the many horses involved in the parade. So in some ways for the police it was always going to be a case of "damned if you do, and damned if you don't". On that basis, I can quite understand why they may have erred on the side of being over-zealous, as to under-react could have threatened public safety. I suspect that the tens of thousands who turned out to enjoy the day would agree. Peaceful protest.. no problem. Anything beyond that, no thanks.

This, absolutely yes.

Additionally I have heard that the police only said they regret their actions over six of those arrested, not all of them. I think over fifty were arrested, and they were carrying paint, rape alarms, and glue. So how was any of that going to be used for a peaceful demonstration?

The police, damned if they do, damned if they don’t.

Paint? What was this to be used for?
Rape alarms? To scare the horses and create a very dangerous situation for animals and humans alike, especially if horses pulling a carriage were spooked. Just imagine the injuries that could be caused.
Glue? To glue themselves to roads/railings? Would cause total mayhem.

Well done to our police for taking the right actions and keeping most people safe.
Another post on another thread states clearly that at least one bandsman was seriously injured as a result of a spooked horse, and that was without paint, rape alarms or glue!

1. Tens of thousands of people attended the Coronation in London, and happily celebrated this occasion.
2. Some anti-Monarchists circulated in the crowd carrying "Not My King" placards, and were not prevented from lawful, peaceful protest.
3. A total of 64 arrest were made on the day. A mini-min-miniscule number in relation to the size of the crowds.
4. The Met has now expressed regret that perhaps the arrest of half a dozen or so of these might have been somewhat over-zealous.
5. No-one was hurt, and there was no major incident.
6.. Result!
7. Get over it...

Oreo

They did protest, didn’t you see them?
More were allowed to protest than were arrested, am glad police did what they thought was best at the time.
You aren’t, so what, we have different views on it.

That was for Fleurpepper btw

Records will be kept, facial recognition, profiles, and more.

The UK has never ever had a tradition of arresting people on suspicion.

Fleurpepper

Yes Braverman and co. And I am pretty sure the King is massively embarrassed about this, and has probably had w ord or will do, with our PM when they next meet.

😂

They did protest, didn’t you see them?
More were allowed to protest than were arrested, am glad police did what they thought was best at the time.
You aren’t, so what, we have different views on it.

The police would know there would be a backlash against their undemocratic action. I think the police were justified, as feelings would become hysterical if emotional crowds are not closely controlled. Few people want skirmishes in the main streets.

We will see all those arrested will be freed immediately now the coronation is over.

Fleurpepper

Aveline

I'd rather a thousand times that police apologised for removal of potentially disruptive elements than that they were apologising for doing too little too late if protesters had led to fights and dangerous incidents. It was a no win situation for the police. Damned if they did and damned if they didn't.
We'll never know what might have happened. The protesters say that they
would have been be peaceful but they would say that wouldn't they?!

I hear you- but honestly. People were arrested because they might cause a protest. Since when has holding an anti anything placard become 'potential fight or dangerous incident'?

I have been on many anti-nuclear arms proliferation during the Thatcher years- and the police were there marching with us, chatting, laughing with my children, and so on.

This is something that has always been so so special about British police, only intervene if really needed, always diffuse rather than inflame- unlike French, German or USA police- that will provoke a reaction to excuse arrests, etc.

Arrest grannies and all sorts of peaceful activists on the suspicion they might wish to protest, is just not on, just not the British way to do things, which was always far superior to other police forces aorund the world.

They arrested a handful of the leaders of the protest before the Coronation. The Police were on the ground and had to make a quick decision there and then.

There were many other protesters which were in amongst the crowds with their banners and shouting their slogans. This was evident in media coverage of the event.

Yes Braverman and co. And I am pretty sure the King is massively embarrassed about this, and has probably had w ord or will do, with our PM when they next meet.

Oreo, two posts in a row which are hugely insulting and so anti-democratic, gloating and so unpleasant.

wood for the trees, pot and massive kettle. Sad. Not the British way at all. Sovereingty includes the right to protest.

NanaDana

MaizieD.. Yes, I've read the Police apology, and I still see what they did it as a case of "fail safe" under the most extreme pressure. As for rape alarms, the fact that the Met had received intelligence about a plot to use them was widely reported, and not just by right wing media. Also. one of those arrested with them allegedly has links to Extinction Rebellion, so "fail safe" yet again. Bottom line for me, is that despite the controversy surrounding the arrests, the security services did an amazing job, faced with the most complex challenge that they have faced in decades. Well worth a few ruffled feathers, and no, I don't see what happened as some sinister threat to the democratic process. Merely a tiny blemish in the bottom left hand corner of the bigger picture, which was rightly focussed on public safety.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Deserves reposting.

Aveline

I'd rather a thousand times that police apologised for removal of potentially disruptive elements than that they were apologising for doing too little too late if protesters had led to fights and dangerous incidents. It was a no win situation for the police. Damned if they did and damned if they didn't.
We'll never know what might have happened. The protesters say that they
would have been be peaceful but they would say that wouldn't they?!

I hear you- but honestly. People were arrested because they might cause a protest. Since when has holding an anti anything placard become 'potential fight or dangerous incident'?

I have been on many anti-nuclear arms proliferation during the Thatcher years- and the police were there marching with us, chatting, laughing with my children, and so on.

This is something that has always been so so special about British police, only intervene if really needed, always diffuse rather than inflame- unlike French, German or USA police- that will provoke a reaction to excuse arrests, etc.

Arrest grannies and all sorts of peaceful activists on the suspicion they might wish to protest, is just not on, just not the British way to do things, which was always far superior to other police forces aorund the world.

Aveline

As previously stated we'll never know what might have happened had they been allowed their 'peaceful protest'. The police had to make decisions based on a huge number of 'what ifs'. I'm glad that the coronation and all that it involved went ahead smoothly.
I'm horrified that some posters can't see how nuanced a situation it was.

Obvs innit? Those posters are so anti-monarchy and anti- government they can’t see the wood for the trees.

MaizieD

Germanshepherdsmum

Well said Forsythia. 👏👏👏

You're applauding a post in which the poster seems to have confused the anti monarchy protesters with climate change protestors.

Perhaps she'd like to give an example of the 'violence and fear' that can be proven to be caused by the Republic group, or the climate change protestors. Because I haven't seen any.

Can anyone also explain how a handful of protestors was going to ruin the pleasure of thousands of people?

And can people stop saying the coronation was a 'once in a lifetime' event. It was the second coronation in the lifetime of a great many Gnet posters and, given Charles's age, it's unlikely to be 'once in a lifetime' for many UK citizens...

Sour grapes and bitter lemons all at once😂

Hear, hear, Foxygloves.

eazybee

The group I saw on the television news were not peaceful; they were chanting 'Not our king' as the state carriage passed by, punching the air with their fists in rhythm and their faces contorted with hate.
Disturbing, intimidating and reminiscent of Moseley's Blackshirts.

Yes, there were those too so saying the police were over heavy handed isn’t really true.

Foxygloves

I go along with the “damned if they do, and damned if they don’t”
There was a heavy handedness to their reaction but the potential consequences of the protests are terrifying.
Thinking of recent Stop Oil and XR protesters’ actions- what if protestors had employed these so-called” peaceful” methods such as-
Glueing themselves to the road in front of the processions
“Slow walking” in front of the horses/troops
Throwing paint
Obstructing access to the Abbey

It’s no longer a case of waving a few placards and banners or shouting slogans. There might have been worse than eggs thrown and it’s too late to shake your head after the event.
Factor in the very much more sinister and deadly risks of terrorist action lurking behind genuine posters and it is clear that the security measures involved must have been a nightmare

I fully agree with you and NanaDana on this.
The peaceful republic protesters with placards were allowed to mingle with the crowds watching, they were no problem.
Those arrested were likely the ones the police had their eyes on, ringleaders.I’m glad they were taken away before they caused any harm to people or horses.

Callistemon21

Not all republicans are like those out protesting and wanting to ruin the day for others - I spent a pleasant time with some last weekend and we had a very civilised chat 🇬🇧

It's respect for the views of others which is important and unfortunately those protestors did not respect the views of the majority who were there, some from around the world, to enjoy a special and historic occasion.

I agree with Callistemon (I was feeling a bit left out, I hope that she agrees with me back)

If your opinion is that Charles is 'Not my King', and you don't agree with the Monarchy, why not stay away? Did anyone think that the Coronation might be canceled because some don't want it to happen? People go to an event with the intent of disrupting it and spoiling it for others, and are then surpised and shocked to be arrested. The Police cannot win; if one of the protestors had flung something and a horse had been spooked - however well trained, some of them were jumpy on Saturday - and this had resulted in injury, that presumably would have been the fault of the Police for not stopping the protester. They have to make split second decisions and because of those decisions there were no casualties, and nobody was charged with anything either. I call that a win win, but of course it won't be seen that way by those who feel that shouting insults, banner waving and attempting to spoil the day is fine.

Spot on Wyllow : terrorists traditional dress is not the placard, I understand. I am concerned that this interpretation of the law " we must arrest people before anything happens just in case" would be familiar to the citizens of many repressive regimes - Russia, for example, or China. And yes, I do feel for the police- they are the tools of Ms Braverman et al.

Wyllow3

Thank you for the summary WWM.

If you were a "terrorist" of course you wouldn't arrive with megaphones and placards announcing yourselves.

You'd dress as if you were celebrating the event and remain concealed until your planned action took place.

We are walking onto the future asleep and full of whatiffereies, as this new law could curtail all peaceful protest. Step one towards a tyrannical state.

I don't think anyone has taken any notice of this excellent post by Wyllow3

If you were a "terrorist" of course you wouldn't arrive with megaphones and placards announcing yourselves.

You'd dress as if you were celebrating the event and remain concealed until your planned action took place.

Germanshepherdsmum

Well said Forsythia. 👏👏👏

You're applauding a post in which the poster seems to have confused the anti monarchy protesters with climate change protestors.

Perhaps she'd like to give an example of the 'violence and fear' that can be proven to be caused by the Republic group, or the climate change protestors. Because I haven't seen any.

Can anyone also explain how a handful of protestors was going to ruin the pleasure of thousands of people?

And can people stop saying the coronation was a 'once in a lifetime' event. It was the second coronation in the lifetime of a great many Gnet posters and, given Charles's age, it's unlikely to be 'once in a lifetime' for many UK citizens...

Not all republicans are like those out protesting and wanting to ruin the day for others - I spent a pleasant time with some last weekend and we had a very civilised chat 🇬🇧

It's respect for the views of others which is important and unfortunately those protestors did not respect the views of the majority who were there, some from around the world, to enjoy a special and historic occasion.