Campaigners arrested in Westminster over planned protest ahead of King’s Speech
The Met Police arrested 10 members of campaign group Youth Demand in Westminster on Wednesday morning
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The Met Police has arrested several youth campaigners after a protest group stated it intended to disrupt the State Opening of Parliament.
The ceremony takes place at the Houses of Parliament and sees King Charles deliver a speech, written by the new Labour government, that will lay out policies and proposed legislation for the upcoming parliamentary session.
Last week Youth Demand revealed it planned to disrupt the ceremony over prime minister Sir Keir Starmer’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war.
Scotland Yard said officers arrested 10 of the campaign group members in Westminster on suspicion of conspiracy to cause public nuisance at 10.25am on Wednesday.
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A spokesperson added: “A further 20 to 25 have now gathered in Victoria Embankment Gardens and further arrests are being made.”
The group - which describes itself as a “new youth resistance campaign fighting for an end to genocide” - had called for supporters to assemble at Victoria Embankment Gardens as part of its protest.
On Wednesday morning, it confirmed its members had been stopped ahead of the planned action in Westminster.
A spokesperson said: “When political leaders don’t have the guts or the moral backbone to lift a finger for the people of Palestine after months of public outcry, it becomes clear how broken our political system is.
“Meanwhile the police protect those in power making the decisions that are destroying people’s lives.”
It is not the first time police have responded to action by the group.
Three Youth Demand members were found guilty of public order offences at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in April after demonstrating outside Sir Keir’s home. They also placed four rows of children’s shoes in front of the property to signify the young people killed in Gaza.
News of the arrests on Wednesday morning came shortly after Mr Starmer left Downing Street to attend the ceremony at Westminster. King Charles and Queen Camilla were also pictured departing Buckingham Palace for the event.
The King began delivering his speech at 11.30am.
The Met Police said groups had “the right to peaceful protest, but not to commit criminal offences or cause serious disruption”.
Anti-monarchy group Republic held a protest along Parliament Street but activists were not allowed to use whistles or sound equipment that would impact the horses taking part in the parade.