The BBC are reporting the latest anti-lockdown protests in London (today). Ten minutes ago they stated 60 people had been arrested; at the time of posting this comment, that had risen to 150 arrested
Police said they expected arrests to continue to rise following the protest in central London.
www.bbc.co.uk
If anyone is interested, there is some footage on YouTube which gives some idea of the numbers who took part.
I would recommend those concerned about our civil liberties watch a couple of segments:
at around 37 minutes in, a polite conversation between a policeman and someone of a similar age and disposition to me, with the facade of Kings Cross station looming behind. The man says he’s always been law-abiding and never felt the need to attend a protest before. (His comments echo those of some people on this forum). As the cameraman moves around, this is followed by police talking to an older gentleman with a placard, who is threatened with arrest despite saying his intention is ‘merely to inform people’ (and someone intervenes, suggesting ‘this is not East Germany!’)
at 2h42m, a young man in sunglasses is surrounded by at least 4 police officers (two of whom are maskless). Members of the public make some good comments, including ‘obeying orders is no excuse’ from a grey-haired gent in glasses (2h45m)
At about 3h07m, a young man is handcuffed (amid much swearing) and there are shouts of ‘shame on you’ directed at police from bystanders
We are going to see many more of these protests, I think. Today’s patronising guidance on how to conduct a Christmas gathering is insulting and getting a lot of people’s backs up.
Despite what the media would have you believe about cranks and conspiracy theorists, these kind of protests are increasingly attended by people in fear. Not of the virus, but more the loss of their livelihoods and of their civil liberties, and disgust at the state’s interference in every detail of their daily lives