Over the weeks, we have been reporting in the Trends Journal on the growing number of protests against COVID-19 rules and breach of freedoms as people took to the streets from Berlin to Dublin, London to Paris, Melbourne to Montreal.
Anti-government anger is growing across four continents as political leaders, reacting to higher infection rates (while death rates are dropping) are re-locking down societies and coming up with new ways to restrict basic, individual rights.
Some of the most draconian, new lockdown measures are being enforced in the U.K. As previously reported in the Trends Journal, on 14 September, the U.K. government announced a “rule of 6” prohibiting any social gatherings of more than six people, aside from limited exemptions including for work and education.
Police were instructed to disperse illegal gatherings and fine individuals ₤100 ($128) and doubling each additional offense up to ₤3,200 ($4,096).
Citizens are fighting back.
On Saturday, several thousand protesters from a wide range of groups opposing lockdown impositions organized a “Resist and Act for Freedom” rally at London’s Trafalgar Square. Police were called in, which led to physical confrontations, injuries, and the arrest of more than 30 people.
The protest was advertised with an image showing a vaccine bottle and urging people to “Come together, resist and act.” Demonstrators carried signs such as “This is Now Tyranny.” Video footage of the event showed a large group of protesters moving toward police chanting, “Choose your side.”
During the pushing and shoving that ensued, protesters clasped hands in solidarity, forming what the Guardian called a “human blockade” to make it difficult for police on foot and mounted on horses to arrest individuals.
The London Metropolitan Police issued a statement that demonstrators were urged to disperse because they were putting the public at risk: “This, coupled with pockets of hostility and outbreaks of violence towards officers, means we will now be taking enforcement action to disperse those who remain in the area.”
The Guardian reported that while there were flare-ups, overall, the rally was peaceful.
The Metropolitan police stated, “It is important to remember we are still in the middle of a global pandemic, and the changes have been introduced to help control the spread of the virus, keep everybody safe and save lives.”
In addition to protesting freedom restrictions, a number of those participating opposed mandatory vaccines and voiced anger at the media for its coverage, including signs that read “Media Distancing.”
New Fines, New Restrictions
The day before the protestors took over Trafalgar Square, Prime Minister Johnson issued a warning about a second wave of COVID-19 and said he would consider additional lockdown measures.
Then, on Saturday, the same day as the rally, the British government announced a new legal mandate: any citizen in England who has tested positive or through tracking surveillance is considered at risk for being in contact with someone testing positive must “self-isolate.”
Johnson announced, “People who choose to ignore the rules will face significant fines.” The fines will start at ₤1,000 ($1,292) and can go up as high as ₤10,000 ($12,920).
He added that low income workers forced to self-isolate but who can’t work remotely from home will receive government payments of ₤500 ($646). The Prime Minister said, “I don’t want to see a situation where people don’t feel they are financially able to self-isolate.”
The new legal restriction with fines becomes effective on 28 September. U.K. officials are considering expanding it to Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
To exert pressure on citizens to comply, police will be monitoring those locations known to have high amounts of infection. Those required to self-isolate will be checked on by National Health Service workers who have the option of reporting violators to police.
To date, about 41,800 people in the U.K. have died from COVID-19 in a country of 66.65 million or 0.06 percent.
