Scuffles break out as police lead away anti-lockdown activists in Hyde Park as hundreds attend protests against restrictions across the UK

The 73-year-old Piers Corbyn was surrounded by police officers as he made his way to adress protesters. He was later led away, reportedly in handcuffs. Click to enlarge

Danny Gallagher – Daily Mail May 16, 2020

Crowds of people have gathered in London‘s Hyde Park, including the brother of Jeremy Corbyn, to protest against the coronavirus lockdown while brandishing signs reading ‘I will not be masked.’

Piers Corbyn, 73, was seen surrounded by police officers as he made his way through the crowds, getting involved in the action and making his voice heard.

He was later seen being removed in handcuffs, after earlier holding a sign which read: ‘End lockdown now – Free NHS to save those it’s left behind.’

Anti-lockdown protest in hyde Parl, London. Click to enlarge

Corbyn was taken away after showing up with a megaphone and proclaiming 5G and the coronavirus pandemic were linked, calling it a ‘pack of lies to brainwash you and keep you in order’.

He also said ‘vaccination is not necessary’ and that ‘5G towers will be installed everywhere’, adding: ‘5G enhances anyone who’s got illness from Covid, so they work together.’

The astrophysicist was taken away after declining to leave when asked by a police officer and declining to give his details when asked.

A flyer advertising the protest called for ‘no to mandatory vaccines, no to the new normal, and no to the unlawful lockdown.’

As tensions quickly began to simmer scuffles could be seen breaking out, as protestors took exception to the responses of police officers and clashed as handcuffs were produced.

So far six arrests have been made by police forces, who continue to patrol the area.

Standing close together near Speaker’s Corner, several held placards and banners including slogans such as ‘freedom over fear’ as police, including some on horseback, looked on.

Discontent begins to stir. Click to enlarge

As people started to come together at midday on Saturday, initial figures were at the three dozen mark as police moved in to keep the scene under control.

With numbers mounting, police continued in their efforts to disperse the crowds and keep people moving, in order to avoid the dangerous scenario of a mass gathering in close proximity.

David Samson, 50, who said he works in finance, told the PA news agency he came because ‘I never thought I’d see in my generation the suppressing of civil rights’ over a ‘fake virus’.

There was a large round of boos when one protester was taken away in handcuffs by police.

The man appeared to put up some resistance while being led away, as police looked to remove his sign and escort him from the area.

Another attendee held aloft a sign showing a Dr Who dalek, with the addition: ‘Exvaccinate’, while others read of ‘tracking and chipping’ theories linked to the outbreak of the virus.

As police tried to disperse the numbers, flags could be seen waving in the air. The colours of the Union Jack and St George’s cross swirled above head as the masses chanted.

As of 2pm on Saturday, May 16, police confirmed six people had been arrested in the Hyde Park area amid the protests.

It is not the first time Piers Corbyn has been seen drawing attention to himself during the pandemic, after recently attending another anti-lockdown protest in central London and being given a penalty notice for doing so.

Corbyn, 73, called the fine an ‘abomination’ and an ‘attack on human rights’ after he refused on numerous occasions to heed the police’s polite requests outside St Thomas’s Hospital.

London was not the only site of lockdown protests on Saturday, as people also gathered in other major cities including Glasgow, Edinburgh and Southampton and Nottingham.

Protestors also gathered at Wollaton Hall Park Nottingham in considerably smaller numbers, with signs proclaiming ‘End lock down’.

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