IN PICS| Anti-monarchy protests in Britain: Citizens say 'Not my King', ask 'who elected him?'
'Very worrying'
The civil rights organisation Liberty highlighted its alarm, stating in a statement that it was "very worrying" to see the police using their extensive authority in such a harsh and punitive manner to stifle free speech and expression.
King's accession
On Sunday at around 12:30 p.m., Oxford resident Symon Hill was returning from church. The 45-year-old told CNN that it was challenging for him to navigate the crowds because the streets in the city centre had been closed off for a parade. Hill made the choice to listen rather than rush home when he realised that the local officials were ready to announce King Charles III's accession.
'Who elected him?'
“They started reading out about Elizabeth II and expressing grief for her death,” Hill said. “I certainly wouldn’t interrupt that. I’ve never intruded on an act of mourning. That’s not something I would ever do.”
Hill claims that once King Charles was identified as "our sole lawful and rightful Liege Lord," he yelled out, “Who elected him?”
Prince Andrew heckled
Following a number of events, the most recent of which saw the arrest of a man in Edinburgh for allegedly heckling Prince Andrew, civil rights activists and others have raised concern over the response of police to anti-monarchy protestors.
Liberty expressed grave concern
The advocacy group Liberty expressed grave concern about the additional police powers recently granted to stifle protests and how officers were enforcing them.
22-year-old guy detained
A 22-year-old guy was detained on Monday in a singular incident in the Scottish capital "in connection with a breach of the peace on the Royal Mile," according to the British PA Media news agency.
'A sick old man'
Thousands of mourners lined the streets of Edinburgh as the Queen's hearse travelled from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St. Giles' Cathedral, followed by members of the royal family. According to Police Scotland, a spectator broke the awkward silence by calling Prince Andrew "a sick old man."
Heavy-handed repression
There are worries about freedom of expression regardless of whether the police are using the Public Order Act of 1986 or the more recent Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 to repress people.
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