No, we're not talking about hundreds of royal drunk people tripping over each other in a stampede to the dessert buffet – but anarchists who are plotting to disrupt the festivities.
A repeat is expected from the anarchist militants who clashed with police last Saturday during a march against the public sector spending cuts. 200 people were arrested, and 31 police officers were injured during violent street battles in London.
Senior police figures have warned that the anarchists will "deliberately target" next month's royal wedding, as the groups who vandalised shops and landmarks during Saturday's protest mobilise again for the high profile occasion. The day also coincides with May Day weekend, which has traditionally seen violent protests in recent years.
The worry is that on a day when security will already be stretched, the anarchists are an unwelcome diversion for police and security forces already dealing with the increased terror and security threats that surround the royal wedding.
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to take to the streets to watch the royal procession in the glare of the world’s media. But the police are taking extra measures to ensure the anarchists don’t use this to promote their agenda of chaos through petty acts of crime and vandalism in the public eye. The police will have increased stop and search powers, and there could also be a ban on people covering their faces with masks.
The mostly peaceful demonstrations on Saturday were against the government’s planned spending cuts, and the cost of the royal family and the wedding will fuel the sense of unfairness. Should we celebrate the royal family? Or is it an unfair use of taxpayer’s money? (it’s expected to cost the economy £3bn).
Or is anyone fed up with it all already and going on holiday to avoid it? (in which case get some cheap travel insurance)
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There are always a few bad eggs that spoil any peaceful protest and they probably don't even care about the cause they just want to fight the police and get an asbo and the police get a bad rap for occasionally throwing someone to the ground because they were protesting violently and wouldn't stop when told to.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the police reporting 200 arrests don't mention that less than 20 of them were for violent behaviour - and still, 200 out of the whole group (was it over 100,000 strong?) isn't really that much.
ReplyDeleteHopefully any protest will have it's message heard, rather than the violent idiots having their say. And best of luck to the happy couple!
Unrelated to the story, and the comments above but noticed the link for Travel Insurance.
ReplyDeleteThat's me sorted for my Mauritius holiday this year!
Cheers eInsurance!