Guardian:
Three anti-capitalist activists who were planning a mock execution of Prince Andrew with a guillotine to mark the royal wedding have been arrested and detained at Lewisham police station.
Officers arrested Professor Chris Knight, a leading member of the G20 Meltdown group, outside his home in Brockley, south east London at around 6.15pm, according to an eyewitness.
Also arrested were Knight's partner Camilla Power and Patrick Macroidan, who was dressed as an executioner, said fellow activist Mike Raddie, of north London, who was with them.
The three activists were preparing to drive their theatrical props, including a home-made guillotine and effigies, into central London when three police cars and two police vans drew up near Knight's home in Brockley, said Raddie.
Street theater hardly ranks as a serious security threat even if the content might be offensive to some people. Looking into what the group was up to is one thing, but arresting them seems like a needless overreaction on the part of British police. Chris Knight has stated on a number of occasions that he doesn't engage in violence.
The group advertised the event as the "Zombie Wedding" and posted a disclaimer on their website that states: "PS govt of the DEAD disclaimer: this is a totally non-terrorist event and bears absolutely no resemblance to the Jacobin Terror of 1793-94."
The group had no intention of getting close to the royal action at Westminster. Their plan was to link up with a street party - Republic's Not the Royal Wedding - in Red Lion Square, Holborn, central London.
The police may have had concerns because of the hype about anarchists in the lead-up to the wedding - most of it ridiculously overblown. For example the London Evening Standard's warning of 15,000 anarchists (1,500 of them hardcore militants) out to wreck Wills and Kates' special day.
The title of a Guardian article gets it right... "Anarchist threat to royal wedding? They'd rather be down the pub."
Video of the arrests beneath:
The group advertised the event as the "Zombie Wedding" and posted a disclaimer on their website that states: "PS govt of the DEAD disclaimer: this is a totally non-terrorist event and bears absolutely no resemblance to the Jacobin Terror of 1793-94."
The group had no intention of getting close to the royal action at Westminster. Their plan was to link up with a street party - Republic's Not the Royal Wedding - in Red Lion Square, Holborn, central London.
The police may have had concerns because of the hype about anarchists in the lead-up to the wedding - most of it ridiculously overblown. For example the London Evening Standard's warning of 15,000 anarchists (1,500 of them hardcore militants) out to wreck Wills and Kates' special day.
The title of a Guardian article gets it right... "Anarchist threat to royal wedding? They'd rather be down the pub."
Video of the arrests beneath:
For more, link to: Guardian, London Indymedia
