View

Close Banner

Thousands protest against masks, vaccines and other coronavirus measures

Sunday 30 August 2020

The Independent

 

News

Thousands protest against masks, vaccines and other coronavirus measures

Demonstrators in Trafalgar Square yesterday represented many groups
(Reuters)

Police urged demonstrators to disperse under social distancing laws yesterday after several thousand anti-lockdown, anti-mask and anti-vaccine protesters gathered in London’s Trafalgar Square.

The Unite For Freedom rally saw a vast mask-free crowd carrying signs and placards including “World Hoax Organisation” and “Masks are muzzles”.

Many demanded an end to government health measures and the right to catch coronavirus – should it even exist – without state interference.

Key speakers at the event included conspiracy theorist David Icke and Piers Corbyn, the brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Demonstrators ranged from out-and-out Covid-19 sceptics to those who believe the illness is real but was created in a lab and others who say the illness is genuine but no worse than flu.

There were also QAnon supporters, a handful of “Free Julian Assange” boards and several claiming that NHS Test and Trace is an attempt by the government to monitor citizens.

“Nothing is more important as time is very short,” noted a flyer for the event. “The government are voting on a two year extension of their emergency Covid-19 powers in September 2020 – the first six months have been a disaster – this must not be allowed to continue.”

It came as thousands marched in Berlin against similar coronavirus restrictions in Germany.

The Metropolitan Police published an open letter advising that anyone attending a gathering of more than 30 people may be at risk of committing a criminal offence.

“Police officers are with a group of protesters at Whitehall,” the Met wrote on Twitter. “We have already provided the group with a letter explaining they are at risk of committing a criminal offence. We are now asking the group to disperse.”

Later, officers said a man in his 70s had been arrested at 3.25pm on suspicion of breaking the new Health Protection Regulations 2020.

A spokesperson for the force said the man remained in custody and an investigation is ongoing to identify further individuals who may have breached the new regulations.

A 25-year-old man was also arrested earlier at 1.30pm on suspicion of a public order offence and taken into custody.