Coronavirus protests: Jeremy Corbyn's brother among protesters arrested at Hyde Park 'mass gathering'
Nineteen people arrested at anti-lockdown demonstration
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Jeremy Corbyn’s brother is among several people to be arrested at a coronavirus protest in London.
Conspiracy theorists and anti-vaxxers gathered at Speakers’ Corner on Saturday for one of dozens of “mass gatherings” organised across Britain to oppose lockdown restrictions.
Piers Corbyn, the former Labour leader’s brother, used a megaphone to tell the crowd that the pandemic was a “pack of lies to brainwash you and keep you in order”, shouting: “Vaccination is not necessary.”
The astrophysicist was taken away after refusing to leave when asked by a police officer or to give his details.
He is believed to have been arrested under the Health Protection Regulations, which make gathering in a group of more than two people illegal.
Protesters followed Mr Corbyn as police took him to a nearby van, chanting “shame on you” at officers and booing.
Like many of the protesters, Mr Corbyn claimed coronavirus was linked to 5G technology, adding: “5G enhances anyone who’s got illness from Covid, so they work together.”
The baseless conspiracy theory has caused a wave of vandalism against 5G masts and attacks on engineers.
The Metropolitan Police said 19 people were arrested and 10 given fines for breaking the Health Protection Regulations.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: “It was disappointing that a relatively small group in Hyde Park came together to protest the regulations in clear breach of the guidance putting themselves and others at risk of infection.
“Officers once again took a measured approach and tried to engage the group to disperse. They clearly had no intention of doing so.”
There was a heavy police presence at the demonstration, which saw some people group together with signs and chants of “no 5G” and “no forced vaccinations”.
Other supporters sat in groups on the surrounding grass, after flyers were distributed online calling for people to “bring a picnic, some music and [have] some fun and say yes to life”.
Around 100 people were gathered at the peak of the demonstration, although it was unclear how many were curious passers-by.
A group calling itself the UK Freedom Movement had called for people to join similar “mass gatherings” in at least 60 other locations across the country starting at 12pm on Saturday.
Flyers spread through a Facebook group, which has since been deleted, urged people to “be part of the largest mass gathering since the lockdown”.
They said: “We say no to the coronavirus bill, no to mandatory vaccines, no to the new normal and no to the unlawful lockdown.”
It followed several similar protests that have seen smaller turnouts, amid warnings over the spread of conspiracy theories during the pandemic.
A “mass gathering” held on Saturday in Southampton saw around a dozen protesters gathered on the city’s common, holding placards saying “stop the lies”, “say no to tyranny” and “fight 4 freedom”.
Numerous protesters in Hyde Park were shouting chants against 5G, which is the most commonly seen coronavirus conspiracy theory in the UK, according to research by Ofcom.
The vast majority of the crowd opposed vaccinations, with one sign calling them a “bioweapon”.
Others were calling for “freedom” against the so-called “tyranny” of the lockdown.
One woman held a sign reading: “I will not be masked, tracked, chipped or vaccinated. This will not be my new normal. I do not consent.”
Microsoft founder Bill Gates was a target of chants calling for him to be jailed, amid the spread of conspiracy theories variously claiming he created coronavirus to profit from a vaccine, or that he is part of a wider “new world order” plot to reduce the global population.
There were frequent shouts of “shame on you” at a large number of police officers who monitored the protest and repeatedly asked people to leave, explaining the various lockdown laws.
On Wednesday, the Health Protection Regulations were relaxed in England to allow people to spend unlimited time outside and meet one member of another household.
But gathering in groups of more than two remains illegal, and demonstrators were also violating government guidance on two-metre social distancing.
Research group Hope Not Hate said more than 60 “mass gatherings” had been called on Saturday but it was unclear how many took place.
It did not find evidence to support rumours that far-right activists Jayda Fransen, formerly of Britain First, or Richard Inman were behind the protests despite running similarly named “freedom movements”.
“It seems most likely that the protests were linked to a new, heavily conspiracy-oriented Facebook group of the same name, where the protests were promoted,” said an online research document.
“A number of small but fast-growing anti-lockdown groups have emerged on social media in the past few weeks.
“It is notable how diverse the people leading the groups appear to be, with some groups moderated entirely by vegan activists, others by committed Brexiteers and still others by full-blown conspiracy theorists.
“While many members of these groups are simply advocating for a loosening of lockdown on the basis of economic necessity or civil liberties, others are promoting dangerous scientific misinformation.”
Hope Not Hate said the demonstrations were not explicitly far-right, but there were elements that would appeal to extremists “on the basis of shared antipathy to the establishment”.
Deputy Assitant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, of the Metropolitan Police, said: "It was disappointing that a relatively small group in Hyde Park came together to protest the regulations in clear breach of the guidance putting themselves and others at risk of infection.
“Officers once again, took a measured approach and tried to engage the group to disperse. They clearly had no intention of doing so, and so it did result in 19 people being arrested, and a further ten being issued with a fixed penalty notice.”