Should we encourage dissent? This weekend, people were arrested at protests against the coronation of King Charles III. Some say they should not have been arrested.
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Police face backlash over coronation protests
Should we encourage dissent? This weekend, people were arrested at protests against the coronation of King Charles III. Some say they should not have been arrested.
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What's happening?
This weekend, thousands of people across the UK put up bunting and waved Union JackThe national flag of the United Kingdom. flags to celebrate the coronationThe ceremony where a King or Queen is crowned. of King Charles III.
But not everyone wanted to join in. Some people took part in protestsWhen people show they are unhappy about something. Some people protest by bringing a big group of people together and marching or chanting. instead.
The protests included people from groups such as Just Stop OilA UK environmental activist group which uses direct action to protest against fossil fuel production. , Animal RisingA UK animal rights and climate change activism group. and Republic, which does not believe that Britain should have a monarchyThe king or queen and royal family. .
The groups had planned protests in London for weeks. But yesterday, dozens of protesters were arrestedStopped by the police and taken to a police station. by London's police force.
Many think the protesters should not have been arrested. The protests were peaceful, not violent, they say. And Britain is a democraticA democratic election is one where all eligible citizens are free to vote, where votes are counted fairly and all political parties have fair and free access to communicate with voters. country, where people are allowed to say what they think - even if most people do not agree.
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"The right to protest peacefully in the UK no longer exists," said Graham Smith, head of Republic.
Others say London's police force say that they did the right thing. The coronation was a huge event, say critics of the protesters. It was important that it ran smoothly.
Yes! A healthy society allows people to say what they think and feel. If protests and disagreement were not allowed, we would live in a dictatorshipA form of government in which one person possesses all the power without any limits. .
No! Thousands of people across Britain and beyond wanted the coronation to go ahead. Strong societies follow the wishes of the biggest group of people.
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Should dissentTo hold or express opinions against a prevailing idea or policy, once used in England and Wales describe those who rejected the Anglican church. be encouraged?
Keywords
Union Jack - The national flag of the United Kingdom.
Coronation - The ceremony where a King or Queen is crowned.
Protests - When people show they are unhappy about something. Some people protest by bringing a big group of people together and marching or chanting.
Just Stop Oil - A UK environmental activist group which uses direct action to protest against fossil fuel production.
Animal Rising - A UK animal rights and climate change activism group.
Monarchy - The king or queen and royal family.
Arrested - Stopped by the police and taken to a police station.
Democratic - A democratic election is one where all eligible citizens are free to vote, where votes are counted fairly and all political parties have fair and free access to communicate with voters.
Dissent - To hold or express opinions against a prevailing idea or policy, once used in England and Wales describe those who rejected the Anglican church.
Dictatorship - A form of government in which one person possesses all the power without any limits.
Police face backlash over coronation protests
Rough justice: Police said they had "a duty to intervene when protest becomes criminal". Glossary
Union Jack - The national flag of the United Kingdom.
Coronation - The ceremony where a King or Queen is crowned.
Protests - When people show they are unhappy about something. Some people protest by bringing a big group of people together and marching or chanting.
Just Stop Oil - A UK environmental activist group which uses direct action to protest against fossil fuel production.
Animal Rising - A UK animal rights and climate change activism group.
Monarchy - The king or queen and royal family.
Arrested - Stopped by the police and taken to a police station.
Democratic - A democratic election is one where all eligible citizens are free to vote, where votes are counted fairly and all political parties have fair and free access to communicate with voters.
Dissent - To hold or express opinions against a prevailing idea or policy, once used in England and Wales describe those who rejected the Anglican church.
Dictatorship - A form of government in which one person possesses all the power without any limits.