Hundreds of anti-monarchist Britons will demonstrate during the celebrations for the coronation of King Charles III on May 6, but discreetly and without disturbing the act, the director of the Republic organization, Graham Smith, guaranteed this Monday in London.
“We are not going to throw away anything, apart from our voices, and we are not going to disturb anything other than their communication campaign,” the person in charge promised this Monday at a press conference.
The Daily Mail newspaper reported over the weekend the existence of alleged plans by activist groups to scare away the horses that will participate in the procession between Buckingham Palace, the king’s official residence, and Westminster Abbey, where the ceremony will take place. ceremony. of the coronation
The risk arises from several high-impact protests in recent weeks, notably by animal rights advocates during the Grand National horse race and environmental group Just Stop Oil at the World Snooker Championship.
Smith said he hoped to mobilize “at least a thousand” anti-royal activists to boo the king during the procession, but advised against throwing eggs, as other protesters have done this year, although he recalled that this practice is “a tradition of politics.” protest” that has targeted government officials in the past.
“I think there are much smarter forms of protest and I really hope nobody tries to do that because it wouldn’t help.” [nossa] cause,” he stressed, during a meeting with journalists organized by the Foreign Press Association in the United Kingdom.
The coronation rally will be the sixth for the “Not My King” campaign in as few weeks, and will build on a growth in interest and membership in the organization, the Republic editor said.
The coronation, he admitted, “is a great opportunity” to publicize the movement that wants to replace the British monarchy with a parliamentary republic with a universally elected president.
Smith lists countries like Ireland, Iceland, Finland, Germany, or even Greece and Italy as inspiration, where heads of state “helped steady the ship” in times of political or economic instability.
“What we are proposing is not particularly radical, it is democratic and in line with our principles and values,” argued Graham Smith.
The death of Queen Elizabeth II, said this activist, represents an opportunity, along with the generational change, since there is less deference among young people towards the monarchy.
“There was such a pall of deference and flattery around the queen herself that it was very difficult to question anything she might have done or said,” he said.
On the new king, she added, “there are a lot of criticisms to be made about Carlos, but he’s just not the queen, that’s the main problem.” [porque] did not inherit the deference” enjoyed by the mother.
A survey by the YouGov company carried out this month and published this Monday by the BBC indicates that 58% of the British want to maintain the monarchy, while only 26% would prefer to elect a head of state.
Support for the monarchy is highest among Eurosceptics and Conservative Party voters and those over 50.
However, in the 18-24 age range, 38% are in favor of the UK transitioning to a republic, against 32% who prefer to maintain the monarchy, while 30% have no definite opinion.
The same survey concludes that 58% of respondents are not interested in the royal family, 54% do not consider the public money royalties receive to be worthwhile, and 45% say the king is out of touch with life. of ordinary Britons.
Source: TSF
