Arrests in UK anti-monarchy protests spark controversy over free speech

LONDON (AA) – The controversy over the right to protest in the UK has come under the spotlight since the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The British police’s handling of anti-monarchy protesters has been severely criticized.

British police arrested a woman in Edinburgh for holding an anti-monarchy sign, reading “Not my King,” targeting the new monarch, King Charles III.

A protester who shouted and called Prince Andrew – who was the center of attention after being forced by the palace to resign from all his public roles over a scandal involving Jeffrey Epstein – “a sick, old man,” was the first to face arrest.

The incident took place during the procession that took the queen’s coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St. Giles’ Cathedral and a 22-year-old man was also arrested after being manhandled and shoved by some public members and a video of it has been largely circulated over the social media.

In a separate incident, a barrister was warned in London by police that a placard saying “Not my King” would see him arrested. It turned out, however, that the barrister was holding an empty placard.

Reaction

The reaction to the arrests has mounted on social media almost immediately after they took place, with many human rights activists joining.

The campaign group ‘Republic’ has written to police forces to raise concerns about the latest arrests and notice that it expects “protests ahead of the coronation to be allowed to go ahead peacefully.”

Civil liberties groups and MPs also expressed alarm.

Neil Mackay, a journalist, wrote on Twitter: “Why is there no debate over the monarchy?

“Republicans must be allowed to voice their opinion. Anti-monarchists are being denied any platform, or worse: silenced and even arrested. A hallmark of a confident and mature democracy is debate, not enforced conformity.”

A prominent Tory politician and former leadership contender David Davis asked the Scottish police not to “sacrifice the principle of free speech.”

He further said: “At a time of national mourning, we should all ensure that we behave respectfully. But we must not sacrifice the principle of free speech upon which modern Britain is built.

“I am a staunch monarchist, but Republicans have as much right to voice their opinions as anyone else.”

Davis underlined in his letter that it is not for him to interfere in the judicial process.

“However, with the accession of our new monarch, I would hope that the police will continue to respect the right to free speech.