The organiser of the anti-lockdown protest in London which saw five officers injured and 29 people arrested could face a £10,000 fine, the Metropolitan Police have said.
The woman was identified as the organiser of the protest after around 150 anti-lockdown activists descended onto Parliament Square yesterday amid fears the country faced tighter restrictions as the number of Covid cases continued to surge.
The force said three men have also been charged with assaulting an emergency worker and have been bailed to appear at a London magistrates’ court in the new year.
They three demonstrators are: Christmas Fallah, 35, Joss Lillis, 27, and Leon Larose, 28.
The majority of the other 26 people arrested were issued with fixed penalty notices for breaching Health Protection Regulations, the police added.
Commander Alex Murray said: ‘This protest was organised and took place just hours before further restrictions were put in place in London. Such action during an ongoing health emergency is reckless and we will enforce the law without hesitation in these circumstances.
A woman in arrested and taken away by a team of officers as hundreds take to the streets and protest against the coronavirus rules
During the protest, which saw hundreds of demonstrators march onto Parliament Square in London yesterday, five officers were injured and 29 people arrested
Several police officers surround a protester on the floor during the demonstration in Parliament Square yesterday afternoon
‘Most Londoners, while frustrated with the restrictions that we are all facing, will be disappointed that we are having to deal with such gatherings, and indeed with assaults on police officers who are working to keep the public safe.
‘I hope these fines and criminal charges will send a strong message to anyone intent on selfishly endangering the health of others at this crucial time.
‘The rules are very clear and our collective actions over the next fortnight will have a direct impact on how quickly our city recovers. If people make reckless decisions that risk lives, I make no apology for the enforcement action that will follow.’
It comes after Boris Johnson yesterday revealed in a 4pm emergency press conference that a third of England – including London and swathes of the home counties – would be thrust into a brutal Tier 4 lockdown from midnight on Saturday in a bid to stamp out a ‘mutant’ strain of coronavirus.
Prior to the demonstrations, Scotland Yard issued an open letter urging people not to attend large gatherings over the last weekend before Christmas.
Extra officers had also been placed on London’s streets to encourage compliance with strict Covid-19 regulations and to ‘swiftly clamp down on those wilfully and dangerously ignoring them’.
However, the demonstration went ahead as planned in Parliament Square, along with others around the country, including in Newcastle.
Footage showed violence once again erupt on the streets, with some activists being tackled to the floor by officers.
One of those who was arrested was Andreas Michli, the owner of a gym in Wood Green that refused to shut its door during the second national lockdown.
‘I’m going to keep doing this until we’re free,’ he said as he was led to a police van.
Scotland Yard issued an open letter ahead of the event, urging people not to attend large gatherings over the last weekend before Christmas
One of those who was arrested was Andreas Michli, the owner of a gym in Wood Green that refused to shut its door during the second national lockdown
A demonstrator holds up a placard during this afternoon’s protest which read: ’99/7% recovery from Covid – why do we need a vaccine?’
Coronavirus laws outlaw gatherings of more than six outdoors, although there is a list of exemptions which includes protests where all relevant safety precautions are in place
The Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers in England and Wales, earlier this week wrote to Home Secretary Priti Patel highlighting the health risks to those policing protests
The Met said the force will focus on disrupting large gatherings adding that protest organisers must stick to Government regulations as well as their submitted risk assessment
Coronavirus laws outlaw gatherings of more than six outdoors, although there is a list of exemptions which includes protests where all relevant safety precautions are in place.
The Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers in England and Wales, earlier this week wrote to Home Secretary Priti Patel highlighting the health risks to those policing protests.
National chairman John Apter and Met Police Federation chairman Ken Marsh described the Christmas footfall coupled with a mass demonstration as a potentially ‘deadly and unmanageable mix’.
The Met said the force will focus on disrupting large gatherings adding that protest organisers must stick to Government regulations as well as their submitted risk assessment.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: ‘Where we become aware of planned events that will breach regulations, we will try to engage with organisers or venues to make them fully aware of the restrictions that are in place to keep people safe.
A protest organiser speaks with police officers as people gather in Parliament Square for an anti-lockdown demonstration, ‘Unite in the Fight’
A demonstrator holds up a sign reading: ‘Why vaccinate for something 99% of people beat and flawed PCR tests find in a glass of Coke?’
Police talk with demonstrators during an anti-lockdown protest in Parliament Square central London yesterday afternoon
Police officers attempt to discourage protesters from mixing as they gather in Parliament Square at an anti-lockdown demonstration
A demonstrator holds up a placard reading ‘we do not consent’ during the demonstration in the capital yesterday afternoon
Protesters march up Whitehall after gathering in Parliament Square at an anti-lockdown demonstration, ‘Unite in the Fight’
Despite warnings from Scotland Yard, protests went on around the country yesterday, including in Newcastle city centre
A demonstrator holds up a placard reading ‘I do not consent’ during a protest against lockdown in Newcastle city centre
A protester holds up a placard as they gather at a ‘Memorial March’ in central Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in north-east England
Placards reading ‘power of love’ and ‘knowledge is power’ were held up during demonstrations in Newcastle yesterday afternoon
An activist at a demonstration in Newcastle city centre this afternoon holds up a placard reading ‘I’m tier free’
‘However, if people do not listen to our advice and fail to comply with the rules, we will be forced to take enforcement action.
‘With infection rates rising rapidly across the capital, we all need to play our part in preventing the spread of the virus.
‘This is the final weekend before Christmas, so now is not the time for complacency. I know Londoners know what they should and should not be doing and I would urge everyone to act sensibly and do their part to keep our city safe.
‘Sticking to the guidelines put in place to keep us all safe and well is now more important than ever.
‘This weekend we will ensure we deal with the activity of a few so as not to expose our communities at even greater risk during this pandemic.’
During the second national lockdown at the end of November more than 150 people were arrested as activists marched from Hyde Park to Oxford Circus and Regent Street, clashed with police.