Arrests in Hyde Park as lockdown protesters denounce ‘fake’ virus

Dozens of people have defied social distancing advice to gather at a protest against the coronavirus lockdown in London's Hyde Park.

At least six people were arrested and several fines were issued as police officers, including some on horseback, patrolled the protest.

The crowd had gathered at Speaker's Corner, holding placards with slogans like "anti-vax deserves a voice" and "freedom over fear", with others denouncing social distancing measures as "tyranny".

Image: Police arrested several people at the gathering

Piers Corbyn, brother of former Labour leader Jeremy, was led away in handcuffs during the protest after calling the coronavirus pandemic a "pack of lies to brainwash you and keep you in order", PA news agency reported.

David Sampson, 50, who said he works in finance, told PA that he had attended the protest because he "never thought I'd see in my generation the suppressing of civil rights" over a "fake virus".

He said: "This is nothing compared to what's coming."

Piers Corbyn (C - grey top), brother of former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, is led away by police officers into a police van at an anti-coronavirus lockdown demonstration in Hyde Park in London on May 16, 2020, following an easing of lockdown rules in England during the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. - Fliers advertising 'mass gatherings' organised by the UK Freedom Movement to oppose the government lockdown measures and guidelines put in place to halt the spread of coronavirus in pa — Image: Piers Corbyn was among those led away in handcuffs

Some of those present continued to promote the scientifically impossible conspiracy theory that the pandemic has been caused by the deployment of 5G masts.

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The nonsensical disinformation that has been spreading online in recent months has resulted in a number of arson attacks on newly-built masts, prompting NHS England's medical director to dismiss the theories as "rubbish".

A man is arrested by police as media with cameras and smartphones surround at an anti-coronavirus lockdown demonstration in Hyde Park in London on May 16, 2020, following an easing of lockdown rules in England during the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. - Fliers advertising 'mass gatherings' organised by the UK Freedom Movement to oppose the government lockdown measures and guidelines put in place to halt the spread of coronavirus in parks around the UK calling for attendees to bring a picni — Image: The crowds were angry about the lockdown

Scotland Yard said that as of 2pm on Saturday, six people were arrested in the Hyde Park area.

A separate protest in Southampton saw about a dozen protesters gather on Southampton Common, holding placards saying "stop the lies", "say no to tyranny" and "Read More – Source

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