Piers Corbyn amongst those arrested at anti-lockdown protest
Police lead away Piers Corbyn, brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, as protesters gather in breach of lockdown rules in Hyde Park in London after the introduction of measures to bring the country out of lockdown. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire. - Credit: PA
The brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was one of 19 protesters arrested during a protest against the coronavirus lockdown.
About 50 people defied social distancing to gather 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 10 on-the-spot fines and making 19 arrests.
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.'
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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.
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A flyer advertising the protest called for 'no to mandatory vaccines, no to the new normal, and no to the unlawful lockdown'.
In Belfast, police monitored a crowd of about 20 people who had gathered in Ormeau Park to denounce the lockdown measures.
Officers warned participants to socially distance and they complied. The gathering broke up without incident after an hour.
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