Republic CEO Arrested En Route to Trafalgar Square Protest
Graham Smith, CEO of the republican campaign group Republic, was among those arrested while heading to a protest at Trafalgar Square. Smith is a leading voice pushing for an elected head of state to replace the monarchy.
Footage Shows Police Snapping Up Protesters
Video shared on Twitter captured police officers taking down Smith’s details. One cop is heard declaring bluntly, “They are under arrest, end of.” The group was stopped before reaching the designated protest site.
Police Silent on Why the Protesters Were Nabbed
Officers have stayed tight-lipped about the reasons for the arrests. It’s unclear whether new police powers designed to curb protests are being invoked — sparking fresh debate.
Republic Activists Cry Foul Over Potential Misuse of Police Powers
“It is unclear exactly whether the police are using these new powers and whether they are misusing them to stop protests from happening,” said Republic activist Luke Whiting.
The arrests come amid growing tensions ahead of King Charles’ coronation later this month. Anti-monarchy campaigners vow to ramp up pressure, calling the institution “outdated” and “undemocratic.”
Republic has led calls for a referendum on the monarchy, arguing that an unelected royal family has no place in modern British democracy.
