Leader of anti-monarchy group arrested in London

The leader of one of the main movements against the UK monarchy and other protest organizers “Not my King” (“Not my king”in free translation) were arrested this Saturday (May 6, 2023) shortly before the coronation ceremony of King Charles 3rd.

Graham Smith is the chief executive of the Republic movement. According to the newspaper Guardianhe was collecting signs for the demonstrators when he was stopped with 5 other people by the police.

“We asked on what basis they were arrested, but they didn’t say. It comes as a surprise as we had several meetings with the police”, said Harry Stratton, director of the Republic, to the Guardian.

A spokesman for the Met, the London Police, said that “a significant police operation is underway in central London” and were carried out “several” arrests on suspicion of breach of the peace, conspiracy to cause public disturbance, and possession of articles to cause criminal mischief.

O Met had said earlier this week that it would have a “extremely low tolerance” for those looking “minar” the day of the coronation.

Watch footage of the protests and the moment of Graham Smith’s arrest:

So much for the right to peaceful protest #AbolishTheMonarchy pic.twitter.com/syytqNOuqm

— Alliance of European Republican Movements (@AERMorg) May 6, 2023

MAJOR BREAKING

REPUBLICANS PLANNING TO PEACEFULLY PROTEST ARE BEING ARRESTED IN CENTRAL LONDON AND MATERIALS CONFISCATED.

MORE INFO AS SOON AS WE HAVE IT.

SOLIDARITY WITH @RepublicStaff pic.twitter.com/yT1gmYYpcU

— Labour for a Republic 🌹🗳️ (@Labour4Republic) May 6, 2023

Abolish the monarchy, not the right to protest

As we speak the whole core team of Republic is still being detained. We are not given a reason. They will probably be released when the whole monarchy pr-show is over.#NotMyKing #AbolishTheMonarchy pic.twitter.com/Dr8BPjhn78

— Republic (@RepublicStaff) May 6, 2023

Out in force on Pall Mall! They won’t let our protesters into Trafalgar Square to join the rest of us. #NotMyKing pic.twitter.com/72Aod7MHT4

— Republic (@RepublicStaff) May 6, 2023

« #NotmyKing ! chant members of the group “Republic” in Trafalgar Square, while their leader Graham Smith was arrested a few minutes ago by the police #Coronation @LePoint pic.twitter.com/R898qGFF6l

— Laure Van Ruymbeke (@Laure_vr) May 6, 2023

British police arrested the leader of the anti-monarchist group Republic, Graham Smith, ahead of today’s coronation of King Charles III , said the group’s spokesman.

▪️Police did not confirm the arrest, stating that they are not immediately naming those arrested, Reuters… pic.twitter.com/aUYiOlhNW6

— Spriter (@Spriter99880) May 6, 2023

In solidarity with @GrahamSmith_ and @RepublicStaff.

We will not be silenced. Police wouldn’t let us into the protest site at Trafalgar Square so we marched through the streets instead. #NotMyKing #AbolishTheMonarchy #CitizenNotSubject pic.twitter.com/Ausro0n23C

— Lindesay Mace (she/her) (@lindesay_mace) May 6, 2023