Man charged after Glasgow Green lockdown protest
BEACHES, parks and beauty spots were busy with people enjoying their first weekend since lockdown rules in England were relaxed.
But fears that good weather would see them packed with visitors unable to stick to social distancing rules were unfounded.
Peak District bosses said one area was “extremely busy” with car parks full by mid-morning but the National Trust said people were being “sensible”.
The Lake District National Park Authority’s chief executive Richard Leafe thanked the public for “not rushing back” to the Lake District. He said: “It’s early days but at the moment it’s quiet and we hope to see this throughout the weekend.”
The AA said that despite the “heavy temptation to travel to beaches and day out favourites”, the majority of Brits have decided to stay at home.
Police were stopping cars travelling from London to Brighton where beaches were busy with people socialising again. Protests against the lockdown were held across the UK with a crowd of around 50 people gathering in London’s Hyde Park. The brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was one of several protesters taken away in handcuffs during the protest.
The protesters gathered close together at Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park, west London, holding placards with slogans like “anti-vax deserves a voice” and “freedom over fear”.
Dozens of police officers, including some on horseback, patrolled the protest, issuing several fines and arresting at least six people.
Piers 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.”
There is no evidence to link 5G and Covid-19 and scientists fear that a rise in measles among children can be attributed in part to unfounded fears about vaccines. He was taken away after declining to leave when asked by a police officer and refusing to give his details when asked.
In Glasgow, a 41-year-old man was charged with breach of the peace after a small protest at Glasgow Green.
Other events were held at Queen’s Park in Glasgow and Holyrood Park in Edinburgh.
Three warnings were issued to people at the Queen’s Park gathering.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “The vast majority of people listened to the clear guidance and did not attend these events.
“Where a small number of people attended gatherings in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee, officers engaged with them and encouraged them to return home. Enforcement action was taken and three warnings were issued to people at Queen’s Park in Glasgow, while at the Glasgow Green gathering, a 41- year old man was arrested and charged with a breach of the peace. He will appear at court at a later date.”