Tens of thousands of anti-lockdown protesters took the streets of London over the weekend as the UK Government continued its shutdown strategy despite declining cases of the Coronavirus and one of the most successful vaccination programs in the world.
“Dozens were arrested by London police Saturday, as thousands marched through the city’s streets in protest of COVID lockdown restrictions. Anti-lockdown Londoners turned violent, throwing bottles and cans at police officers who attempted to maintain order during the demonstration that violated coronavirus regulations,” reports Fox News.
“Met officers are engaging with those gathering around Piccadilly and other areas of central London to protest, explaining that we remain in a public health crisis and urging people to disperse or go home,” posted the police department on Twitter.
Our officers are continuing to engage with people attending the ongoing protests in Central London.
Those gathering in crowds are being encouraged to disperse and go home.
Officers will take enforcement action where necessary. This could be a fixed penalty notice, or arrest.
— Metropolitan Police Events (@MetPoliceEvents) March 20, 2021
Absolutely enormous crowds on the #EndTheLockdown protest march in London. These are normal folk who are concerned about their jobs, livelihoods, freedoms and protesting for a return to the #oldnormal. They are not covid deniers. pic.twitter.com/mPkeDYxq3g
— James Melville (@JamesMelville) March 20, 2021
They have come in their THOUSANDS. London has woken up from a deep slumber. NOW it is time to demand freedom. #londonprotest #EndTheLockdown pic.twitter.com/yJAGo8OYMJ
— Gillian McKeith (@GillianMcKeith) March 20, 2021
Read the full report at Fox News.
ANARCHY IN THE UK: London Lockdown, Flights Canceled, Passengers Stranded Days Before Christmas
A new strain of the Coronavirus ripping through London prompted officials there to effectively lock-down the Capital over the weekend; sparking a travel crisis for countless passengers across Europe and beyond.
“Europe faces significant disruption to air transport as a growing number of countries bans flights from Britain due to fears over a new coronavirus strain, prompting airlines to repeat calls for more testing to keep borders open,” reports Reuters.
“We’ll see a significant impact on the network as a result of the new (coronavirus) variant in the UK,” the chief of the pan-European air traffic control agency wrote on social media.
London Train Stations Jammed as New COVID Strain Overtakes UK https://t.co/PU2L9fYbAX
— TMZ (@TMZ) December 20, 2020
The U.K. plunged into Christmas chaos with police deployed to stop people boarding packed trains, holidays abroad scrapped and Europe banning travel with the country after London went into an emergency lockdown https://t.co/3Ce02S5C2c
— Bloomberg (@business) December 20, 2020
Last train out of Saigon. Queue at St Pancras as we wait to board the Leeds bound train. pic.twitter.com/cFDBDNnYFC
— Harriet Clugston (@HarrietClugston) December 19, 2020
“The measures came in at extremely short notice,” an airline industry executive told Reuters.
Read the full report here.
BORIS RETURNS: British Prime Minister Tests Negative for Coronavirus, Leaves Hospital in London
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson left a London hospital after testing negative for the Coronavirus over the weekend; saying he plans to “focus on recovery” and won’t return to his full-time duties for the near future.
“It’s hard to find the words to express my debt – but before I come to that, I want to thank everyone in the entire UK for the effort and the sacrifice you have made and are making,” said the Prime Minister.
“We are making progress in this national battle because the British public formed a human shield around this country’s greatest national asset – our National Health Service,” he said.
It is hard to find the words to express my debt to the NHS for saving my life.
The efforts of millions of people across this country to stay home are worth it. Together we will overcome this challenge, as we have overcome so many challenges in the past. #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/HK7Ch8BMB5
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) April 12, 2020
“It is hard to find the words to express my debt to the NHS for saving my life. The efforts of millions of people across this country to stay home are worth it. Together we will overcome this challenge, as we have overcome so many challenges in the past,” posted Johnson on social media.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.