Police arrest activists as anti-lockdown protesters gather in Hyde Park
The ultimate covidiots: Scuffles break out as police lead away anti-lockdown activists in Hyde Park as hundreds attend protests against restrictions across the UK
- Crowds gathered in London’s Hyde Park as an anti-lockdown protest unfolded against the restrictions
- Piers Corbyn, the 73-year-old brother of former Labour leader Jeremy, was seen among the masses
- Individuals felt civil rights were being suppressed as a result of a ‘fake virus’ used as a decoy
- A chorus of boos were heard as one man was cuffed and led away by police, appearing to show resistance
- Smaller scale protests were also seen in Southampton, Cardiff, Glasgow and Nottingham
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
By Danny Gallagher For Mailonline
Published: 09:03 EDT, 16 May 2020 | Updated: 12:19 EDT, 16 May 2020
Masses people have gathered in London‘s Hyde Park, including the brother of Jeremy Corbyn, to protest against the coronavirus lockdown while brandishing signs reading ‘I will not be masked.’
Piers Corbyn, 73, was seen surrounded by police officers as he made his way through the crowds, getting involved in the action and making his voice heard.
He was later seen being removed in handcuffs, after earlier holding a sign which read: ‘End lockdown now – Free NHS to save those it’s left behind.’
Corbyn was taken away after showing up with a megaphone and proclaiming 5G and the coronavirus pandemic were linked, calling it a ‘pack of lies to brainwash you and keep you in order’.
He also said ‘vaccination is not necessary’ and that ‘5G towers will be installed everywhere’, adding: ‘5G enhances anyone who’s got illness from Covid, so they work together.’
The astrophysicist was taken away after declining to leave when asked by a police officer and declining to give his details when asked.
A flyer advertising the protest called for ‘no to mandatory vaccines, no to the new normal, and no to the unlawful lockdown.’
As tensions quickly began to simmer scuffles could be seen breaking out, as protestors took exception to the responses of police officers and clashed as handcuffs were produced.
Wearing gloves and protective equipment police were forced to intervene and remove some protestors from the crowds
Protestors clashed with police as tensions quickly simmered in Hyde Park, with individuals expressing their displeasure
Officers struggled with the man as he tried to pull free from their grasp, while bystanders filmed the action
Some individuals simply refused to move on and had to be physically removed by groups of attending police
Police officers struggled to detain a man who refused to disperse from Hyde Park and had to pin him down to apply handcuffs
The man could be seen grimacing as he was placed down on the pavement and arrested by officers
As large crowds gathered to protest against the lockdown regulations, the brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Piers, was seen among the action
The 73-year-old was surrounded by police officers as he made his way through the crowds
One man needed several police officers to bring him under control, while attempting to get him in handcuffs
Police moved in to bring scenes under control as people brandished home made signs
A chorus of boos were heard as one man was cuffed and led away by police officers
The man appeared to put up some resistance as he was led away from the main scene and police removed his sign
Video footage showed the man being marched through the London park, as bystanders applauded his efforts
Police continued in their efforts to disperse the crowd and stop being gathering in large numbers in close proximity
A man is moved on by police during a mass gathering protest organised by the group called ‘UK Freedom Movement’
Another protester is detained by police officers during the demonstration, as the atmosphere started to boil over
So far six arrests have been made by police forces, who continue to patrol the area.
Standing close together near Speaker’s Corner, several held placards and banners including slogans such as ‘freedom over fear’ as police, including some on horseback, looked on.
As people started to come together at midday on Saturday, initial figures were at the three dozen mark as police moved in to keep the scene under control.
With numbers mounting, police continued in their efforts to disperse the crowds and keep people moving, in order to avoid the dangerous scenario of a mass gathering in close proximity.
David Samson, 50, who said he works in finance, told the PA news agency he came because ‘I never thought I’d see in my generation the suppressing of civil rights’ over a ‘fake virus’.
There was a large round of boos when one protester was taken away in handcuffs by police.
The man appeared to put up some resistance while being led away, as police looked to remove his sign and escort him from the area.
Another attendee held aloft a sign showing a Dr Who dalek, with the addition: ‘Exvaccinate’, while others read of ‘tracking and chipping’ theories linked to the outbreak of the virus.
Police were equipped with protective face masks while dealing with the large group of people at close quarters
Another attendee held aloft a sign showing a Dr Who dalek, with the addition: ‘Exvaccinate’
The Union Jack and flag of St George were waved as protestors made themselves heard
‘No mandatory vaccination, freedom to choose’ read another of the signs in Hyde Park as officer watched on
One woman brought a sign which suggested people were being controlled and ‘tracked and chipped’ by the government
The numbers soon began to mount up as police formed a line in order to keep the masses at a reasonable distance
Police vans were required in order to provide reinforcements in case of further arrests in the park
Officers on horses also patrolled the park, where in other areas members of the general public sat to take in the sun
As police tried to disperse the numbers, flags could be seen waving in the air. The colours of the Union Jack and St George’s cross swirled above head as the masses chanted.
As of 2pm on Saturday, May 16, police confirmed six people had been arrested in the Hyde Park area amid the protests.
It is not the first time Piers Corbyn has been seen drawing attention to himself during the pandemic, after recently attending another anti-lockdown protest in central London and being given a penalty notice for doing so.
Corbyn, 73, called the fine an ‘abomination’ and an ‘attack on human rights’ after he refused on numerous occasions to heed the police’s polite requests outside St Thomas’s Hospital.
London was not the only site of lockdown protests on Saturday, as people also gathered in other major cities including Glasgow, Edinburgh and Southampton and Nottingham.
Protestors also gathered at Wollaton Hall Park Nottingham in considerably smaller numbers, with signs proclaiming ‘End lock down’.
Police were seen remaining at an appropriate distance while keeping an eye on proceedings, as some of the protestors put questions to individual officers regarding current guidelines.
Protestors also gathered at Wollaton Hall Park Nottingham with signs proclaiming ‘End lock down’
One man held aloft a sign calling for police forces to ‘wake up and help’ the people during the ongoing crisis
Three police officers attended the small gathering and were encouraging the group to carry out social distancing and think of those around them
Police kept a watchful eye on proceedings, while some of those involved questioned about the ongoing situation
A small gathering of people was also seen on Southampton common, as locals carted around ‘fight 4 freedom’ signs
Police moved in to keep people apart, while allowing the protestors to have their say
In Cardiff, a similar protest was attended by just two people, after posters urged demonstrators to join the UK Freedom Movement (UKFM) with a picnic.
Fliers for the event circulated on social media in a bid to get people to break guidelines and have picnics together in large groups.
But the event in Bute Park in the city centre saw just two people attend – while nearby Heath Park in the city saw no one show up.
The two protesters, who called themselves Paul and Bob, turned up with a dossier about the alleged connection between 5G and coronavirus.
The pair, who had travelled 40 miles from Bristol, said: ‘Lockdown is a breach of our civil liberties.
‘It is a big experiment to see if the Government can control us. We are going to be the next North Korea.’
South Wales Police were patrolling the parks but officers said they had mainly encountered dog walkers and families.
Members of the public gather at Glasgow Green, as part gatherings taking place across Scotland and the UK-wide
Police were on site in both cars and vans in order to keep an eye on proceedings and ensure social distancing
Numbers were low despise advertising across social media to get people involved in the gatherings
The gatherings were due to take place across Britain and are said to have been organised by the UK Freedom Movement group.
Locations for the events included London, Southampton, Nottingham, Sheffield, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Plymouth and Barnstaple in Devon.
A group of about a dozen protesters had also gathered on Southampton Common to demonstrate against the lockdown.
The demonstrators held placards saying ‘Stop the Lies’, ‘Say no to tyranny’ and ‘Fight 4 Freedom’.
Three police officers attended the small gathering and were encouraging the group to carry out social distancing and think of those around them.
