British authorities released Graham Smith, leader of the anti-monarchy group "Republic," along with other members after detaining them for hours during the coronation ceremony of King Charles on Saturday. This raised questions about the appropriateness of police actions in this regard. "Republic" mentioned that the release of its detained members began late Saturday evening after they had spent nearly 16 hours in custody.
Smith stated on his official Twitter account, "I’m now out of the police station. Still waiting for my colleagues. Make no mistake. There is no longer a right to peaceful protest in the UK. I have been told many times the monarch is there to defend our freedoms. Now our freedoms are under attack in his name."
The police arrested Graham Smith and 51 others in central London while thousands of monarchy supporters gathered in the streets to witness King Charles's coronation, claiming that their duty to prevent disturbances outweighed the right to protest.
