Police arrest anti-lockdown activist after protesters take part in a ‘group hug’ outside Met’s headquarters with slogans such as ‘my body my choice’
- Group protesting coronavirus lockdown gather outside Scotland Yard, London
- Protesters filmed chanting ‘hug someone, save lives’ after holding group hug
- One man is seen being carried into a police van after shouting ‘police brutality’
- The Metropolitan Police say one man has been arrested and he is in custody
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
An anti-lockdown activist has been arrested as protesters were seen taking part in a ‘group hug’ outside the Met Police’s headquarters while holding signs with slogans such as ‘my body my choice’.
The group were spotted outside New Scotland Yard in Westminster, London, this afternoon, chanting ‘hug someone, save lives’ in defiance of the government’s coronavirus lockdown laws.
Video has also emerged of one protester, dressed in a florescent jacket, being arrested as he repeatedly shouts phrases like ‘I do not consent’ and ‘police brutality’.
Police have arrested a number of anti-lockdown protesters taking part in a ‘group hug’ outside the Met Police’s headquarters while holding signs with slogans such as ‘my body my choice’. Pictured: One protester is arrested by police
The group were spotted outside New Scotland Yard in Westminster, London, this afternoon, chanting ‘hug someone, save lives’ in defiance of the government’s coronavirus lockdown laws. Pictured: The man is carried away by a number of officers
Video shows one protester, dressed in a florescent jacket, being arrested as he repeatedly shouts phrases like ‘I do not consent’ and ‘police brutality’. Pictured: The man is put into a police van
The man is later cuffed by officers after dragging himself to the floor before six officers carry him by his arms and legs into the back of a police van.
Around 20 people appeared to be in the crowd, breaching the government’s ‘no gathering’ rules.
The group, which included young children, held up signs which included the slogans ‘my body, my choice’, ‘we do not consent’ and ‘no more lockdown’.
A spokesperson for the Met Police said: ‘Police are aware of a small number of protesters that gathered near New Scotland Yard at 11.30am on Saturday.
‘Officers attended and engaged with the protesters and encouraged them to go home. The group subsequently dispersed.
‘One man was arrested for failing to comply with the direction of a police constable and assault on police. He has been taken into custody.’
The lockdown laws were put in place in March following the outbreak of coronavirus.
The group, which included young children, held up signs which included the slogans ‘my body, my choice’, ‘we do not consent’ and ‘no more lockdown’
The lockdown laws were put in place in March following the outbreak of coronavirus. Pictured: A protester holds up a sign with the slogan ‘my body, my choice’
Dozens of police were at the scene of the protest, which took place outside New Scotland Yard in Westminster
So far, 27,880 people have died from Covid-19, while there have been more than 177,000 confirmed cases.
Despite today’s protest, a poll last month found that the vast majority of Britons back the lockdown rules being used to tackle the virus.
A YouGov poll of more than 2,000 Britons last month found 48 per cent of the country backs the Government’s lockdown measures.
A staggering 92 per cent said they agreed with the statement: ‘I will probably follow the advice of the Government even if I don’t agree with it or find it pointless.’
Another YouGov survey found 44 per cent are in favour of extending social distancing measures beyond April 19.