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Anti-monarchy group’s protests will go ahead

A group campaigning for the abolition of the British monarchy has said it will not be deterred from holding protests during the coronation of King Charles this weekend.

The groupRepublic was referring to a letter the group received from the Home Office earlier this week that set out new policing powers under the Public Order Act 2023, which came into effect yesterday (3 May).

Republic described the letter as “a passive/aggressive intimidation of a legitimate protest group”.

‘Liberty’

British security minister Tom Tugendhat insisted, however, that anti-monarchy groups will be allowed to protest at the coronation on Saturday.

He told the BBC that such groups had the "liberty that anybody in the United Kingdom has to protest; what they don't have the liberty to do is to disrupt others".

Republic has held talks with the Metropolitan Police over a protest in London's Trafalgar Square, as the king's procession passes.

The group hopes that up to 1,700 supporters will gather around the statue of Charles I, who was beheaded in 1649.

New offences

The new law introduces new offences of interfering with key national infrastructure, and obstructing major transport projects.

It also includes penalties for protesters who attach themselves to others, objects or buildings.

The act also gives the police more powers to search for and seize objects that may be used by protestors to commit offences under the legislation.