Numerous protests took place during the King’s coronation event in Edinburgh, and the police reported two arrests.
Two ladies, age 20 and 21, were reportedly caught trying to scale crowd barricades, according to a tweet from Police Scotland. They were later charged with a breach of the peace.
Two women – aged 20 and 21 – have been arrested in connection with a breach of the peace after allegedly attempting to climb over a crowd safety barrier on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh.
Our priority is public safety, balanced against people’s rights #RoyalWeek pic.twitter.com/a3ZFXQURHM
— Police Scotland (@PoliceScotland) July 5, 2023
The force has not confirmed any other arrests.
Two of This Is Rigged’s campaigners were detained by the police, the movement to end the monarchy Republic tweeted, adding that it was “concerned” to learn of the detention.
Republic tweeted: “Very concerned by the arrest of three peaceful protesters at the end of a successful day. Currently talking to police to find out more and get them released.”
Outside of the Scottish Parliament and the High Court on the Royal Mile, protesters were asked to assemble in predetermined locations.
Patrick Harvie, a minister for the Scottish Government and co-leader of the Scottish Greens, spoke to over 100 Our Republic campaign demonstrators outside Holyrood.
He told the PA news agency: “Republic and Our Republic have struck the right balance by continuing to make the case for the change they seek: an elected head of state.
“In the meantime, talk about some of the smaller issues that should be addressed for as long as the monarchy last, like, for example, some of the tax loopholes they have that others don’t.”
The interruption in Edinburgh this week, he claimed, was a “Game of Thrones-style cosplay exercise” during the Thanksgiving ceremony at St. Giles’ Cathedral.
He told the rally: “It is fundamentally at odds with the kind of modern and democratic society we are trying to build here.”
On Wednesday, Mr Harvie claimed he had to make a diversion of 25 minutes to get to the Scottish Parliament from St Andrew’s House.
He said: “I recognise there is going to be disruption when there is a major event on.
“But let’s think about how a modern, democratic head of state would go about their business in Scotland.
“It wouldn’t have this level of pomp and ceremony and rigmarole.”
The monarchy is a “symbol of the state that this country is in,” a member of the Republic campaign previously told PA.
She said: “There is a big problem with wealth distribution in this country and they are a classic example of people who have too much when so many people have too little.
“There is also the democratic deficit. He (Charles) has got a very important, very powerful position in this country because his mother died.
“He has never been voted into office, we don’t have the chance to get rid of him.
“It’s old fashioned, it’s antique and it’s high time we got rid of it.”
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: “It’s absolutely right that people should have the right to protest, that’s democracy.
“As regards to the Scottish Greens, my dealings with them so far is that every position they’ve taken has been the wrong position.
“If that’s the position they’ve taken today then I think the monarchy is safe for generations.”
