The police has apologised over the arrest of the republican group

The judge has a bigger overview, he isn’t fiddling around with placards😄😄

His concern is like mine with our cornerstones of freedom and democracy, as well as political interference with the police.

‘Behead the King ‘ may not be a republican !

Does anyone have a link to the photo of the placard calling for the King to be beheaded? I agree that is appalling and I’m pretty sure that person could be arrested legitimately (hate speech?). Do we know they were definitely with Republic?

Maybe Dr. Stephen Pacey didn't see that either.

There was freedom of expression and freedom of assembly which is why protesters were present. I wonder what the Guardian editorial thought of the placard which advocated the RF being beheaded.

Letter from a retired judge.

*as a retired judge, I am sickened and appalled by the actions of the Met Police in arresting protesters……………..
The Met police apparently believe tha5 peaceful protests are a threat to democracy. It seems that they have apologised to the protesters. For what? If the officers were correct in arresting the. Protesters, there is nothing to apologise for. We should remember that repressive right wing governments cannot act alone. They need willing agents to do the dirty work for them. I think that they have now found such an agent.
The new commissioner clearly has a lot of work to do

Dr. Stephen Pacey
Retired upper tribunal judge.

Typical Guardian.

I’m sorry I posted before proof reading

The guardian editorial has put my opinion absolutely succinctly and far better than I can

*The home secretary’s law means that policing dissent is more politicised than ever.

It does the police no good if officers are thought to be at the beck and call of politicians. That is why Lord Dennib, the most celebrated English judge of the 20th century, argued that the responsibility of law enforcement ought to lie solely with the police. “Chief constables are answerable to the law and law alone”. Yet when it comes to demonstrations it appears that instead of police proportionately applying the law of the land, officers are being cowed into serving ministerial interests.
…………..
Police have to balance people’s right to peacefully express their views with disruption to the wider population. But todays Conservative Party seems to have no interest in dissent or respect for opposing views.
……….
We have already had judges labelled “enemies of the people” and seen the vilification of “lefty lawyers” and now there is blatant political intimidation of the police (by Braverman) - typified by her accusing the police of backing Stop the Oil protests.

Freedom of expression and freedom of assembly are the cornerstones of British democracy. These liberties must be protected however inconvenient it might seem.

Unless this is done, and we retain these constitutional conventions sounder threat from Braverman that Sue Sim - a former chief constable said at the weekend that this country is risking becoming a police state.

No surprise, there is much hatred in their voices

Is it possible they did, and that is why they were late?
Apparently the Wales[if that is the right word] were late because of all the children. They could have got very upset.
Just musing.

Oh, that is horrendous.
Republic have lost all my respect.
They have really done themselves no favours.
I wrote yesterday that I didn’t understand what the aim of the protest was. I can understand it now.

I saw a woman with a placard advocating the beheading of the Royal Family and wondered if George, Charlotte and Louis saw that too.
How frightening for them if they did.

And that’s what republicans call a peaceful protest? Please don’t protest that all Republicans are like that.
Republicans, like monarchists will be associated with the worst of their kind.

Can’t upset the children, they are wealthy

Oh that's horrible Callistemon I hope the children didn't see it.

Aveline

Did you just not see all the protesters easily viewable on BBC cameras or were you not watching at all?

I saw a woman with a placard advocating the beheading of the Royal Family and wondered if George, Charlotte and Louis saw that too.
How frightening for them if they did.

Exactly Aveline there were plenty of protesters.

Germanshepherdsmum

I remember having socialist views until I got my first pay packet. My son was the same.

Oh this old chestnut! You do realise that most of us who advocate against the current disastrous Tory politics are not on the dole, or down and out, or in the poorer echelons of society, and un-educated, etc, etc... or even socialists, I hope!!!

Wanting good education for all, a good Health and Social system, and a thriving, forward thinking modern economy which does not abuse people, is not 'just ' a socialist ideal.

Did you just not see all the protesters easily viewable on BBC cameras or were you not watching at all?

Many Tory MPs are expressing strong concern, that is good to see.

They need to suspect you are involved in a crime to arrest someone.

www.gov.uk/police-powers-of-arrest-your-rights#:~:text=To%20arrest%20you%20the%20police,at%20home%20or%20at%20work.

It certainly makes me feel disquiet.
And I am pro monarchy[less King Charles than Queen Elizabeth 11].

I need to look up about arresting people on suspicion they are going to do something.

Move along. Nothing to see here. Of course you have a right to peaceful protest. Just as I have a right to arrest you if I feel like it. So it would be a good idea for you to move quietly behind this grandstand so that the BBC cameras can’t film you. Not that they would. They know their place. Besides, they will never do another royal event if they do. So move along quietly. Is that a Velcro fastener on your jacket? A belt round your waist? Planning to lock on, are we? Then you’re nicked. God save the king.

From the article above.

Very well put in this article. And I know, some of you will say 'oh it's the Grauniad'

www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/may/09/makes-you-proud-to-be-british-banging-people-up-god-save-the-king?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

And no, I have made no assumptions about 'the poor', nor about some people being jealous because the King has more money than some (you do know that we all tax payers paid for this, I am quite sure).

P.S. And the charity workers were arrested at 2 o'clock in the morning. The middle of the night. Why would anyone be distributing illicit rape alarms to god only knows who at 2 a,m?