News / Society

Anti-lockdown protests in central London disrupted by police

Saturday, 28 November 2020 5:22 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 28 November 2020 6:13 PM ]

Londoners are openly confronting the establishment over prolonged coronavirus social and economic restrictions

As the second lockdown draws to a close, and the country prepares for an updated coronavirus tiered system, more and more people appear to be willing to rebel against the government.

On Saturday (November 28), hundreds, and possibly more than a thousand people marched through Oxford Street (the commercial heart of London) chanting anti-lockdown slogans, including “freedom” while carrying placards emblazoned with the words “stop controlling us” and “no more lockdowns”.

The Metropolitan Polices said 60 arrests were made for a “number of suspected offences”, including “breaching” coronavirus regulations.

According to a Met Police statement, the number of arrests is expected to rise.

Beyond Oxford Street, there were smaller protests near King’s Cross station and London’s Hyde Park.

According to reports, at least three arrests were made at King’s Cross and in addition protesters were seen being led away in hadcuffs in the Hyde Park area.

Sky News reporter, Ivor Bennett, who was covering the protest at Oxford Circus, said there were “quite violent, aggressive clashes” between the Met Police and protesters.

"Police were trying to kettle the protesters in one place and break up the big group", Bennett added.

For their part, the Met Police have warned Londoners not to attend protests this weekend as they potentially risk getting arrested for breaching Covid-19 related rules.

The protests in London are being seen as an expression of growing revolt at the government’s regulatory-heavy approach to containing the pandemic.