Anti-lockdown protests organiser faces £10,000 fine

LONDON: The organiser of anti-lockdown protests in which five police officers were injured and 29 people were arrested faces a fine of £10,000, the Metropolitan Police have said.

The woman was identified as the organiser of the demonstrations in which more than 150 people gathered on Saturday and marched through parts of central London — just as Tier 4 restrictions for the capital were being announced.

Several clashes occurred between officers and unmasked demonstrators, who chanted “we demand freedom”. The Met said that the protest “endangered the health of Londoners” and that those arrested had been charged with breaching Health Protection Regulations. It added that three men had also been charged with assaulting an emergency worker.

Christmas Fallah, 35, Joss Lillis, 27, and Leon Larose, 28, will appear at a London magistrates’ court in the new year. The majority of the other 26 people arrested were issued with fixed penalty notices for breaching Health Protection Regulations, the Met said.

The protests came as Boris Johnson announced that several areas of eastern and south-east England would be placed under Tier 4 restrictions, the toughest in the UK. At a press conference, Johnson praised the “amazing work” of police and their “soft touch” approach to dealing with rule breakers.

Met commander Alex Murray said that he would make “no apology” for any enforcement action taken by officers. “This protest was organised and took place just hours before further restrictions were put in place in London,” he said.

“Such action during an ongoing health emergency is reckless and we will enforce the law without hesitation in these circumstances. Most Londoners, while frustrated with the restrictions that we are all facing, will be disappointed that we are having to deal with such gatherings, and indeed with assaults on police officers who are working to keep the public safe.

“I hope these fines and criminal charges will send a strong message to anyone intent on selfishly endangering the health of others at this crucial time.

“The rules are very clear and our collective actions over the next fortnight will have a direct impact on how quickly our city recovers.

“If people make reckless decisions that risk lives, I make no apology for the enforcement action that will follow.” Among those arrested at the protest was Andreas Michli – a gym owner from Wood Green, who refused to close the venue during the second national lockdown. “I’m going to keep doing this until we’re free,” he said as he was led to a police van.