Six activists from the anti-monarchist group “República”, including its leader, Graham Smith, were arrested this Saturday morning in London as they prepared to demonstrate against the coronation of King Charles III, protest organizers said.
Police arrested “six of our organizers and confiscated hundreds of posters” with the slogan “Not my King,” a spokesman for the “Republic” group told AFP.
Hundreds of supporters of the group, which aims to replace the British monarchy with a republic, with an elected head of state, gathered in Trafalgar Square, on the way to the procession for the coronation of Carlos III.
Graham Smith was handing out banners to protesters in Trafalgar Square when he was stopped by police, according to The Guardian newspaper.
King Charles III will be crowned in Westminster Abbey, along with Queen Camilla, in a two-hour religious ceremony with around 2,000 guests.
The ritual included the anointing with consecrated oil and the delivery to the sovereign of several pieces of crown jewels that symbolized the transmission of powers.
Of the various elements, only the oath is considered mandatory, although Carlos took office immediately after the death of his mother, Elizabeth II, in September 2022, with full powers to make laws.
Source: TSF
