Anti-monarchy group to avoid Extinction Rebellion-style demos at coronation

Republic is planning the largest protest action in the group’s history on May 6.

Protesters await the arrival of Charles and the Queen Consort for the Royal Maundy Service at York Minster (Owen Humphreys/PA) (PA Wire)

Anti-monarchy group Republic will stage the largest protest action in its history on the King’s coronation day, but is not planning any Extinction Rebellion-style stunts.

Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, said activists will chant “Not my King” and wear yellow T-shirts and carry yellow placards in groups along the procession route and also gather for a major demonstration in Trafalgar Square on May 6.

Mr Smith has vowed to make the peaceful demonstration unmissable and loud, but told The Times that they were not staging any Extinction Rebellion-style demos because “it’s not a good look” and “doesn’t help the cause”.

He said more than 1,350 people had pledged to take part so far.

Mr Smith has branded the crowning of Charles and the Queen Consort a “pointless piece of theatre” which will cost tens of millions of pounds and be a “slap in the face” for people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.

He said: “Anti-monarchy protests will carry one simple message: Do you want Charles or do you want a choice?”

The campaigners have written to every police force in the UK including the Metropolitan Police asking for reassurances they will not interfere in “peaceful and meaningful” protests against the monarchy.

Protesters have already targeted Charles at recent public appearances, with their “Not my King” signs and shouts of “Why are you wasting money on a coronation Charles?”.

The group is asking people to sign a pledge to protest and to add their voices to their call for the UK to become a republic and have an elected head of state.

“On Saturday 6th May the eyes of the world will be on the coronation,” its website says. “This is the moment we make our objection loud, visible and impossible to ignore.”