Monarchy and feudalism go hand in hand and feudalism has been abolished long ago from the face of the earth. But some of the countries still continues with monarchy as their sovereign head. British empire has been the country with longest monarchal head and long standing history of colonialism. Abolition of monarchy has also been an issue raised outside the UK in countries like Jamaica, New Zealand and Canada which are under the commonwealth rule.
As King Charles III ascends the British throne after Elizabeth II’s demise, the hashtag “NotMyKing” trended on social media. Some instances of people carrying anti-monarchists signs, shouting slogans and heckling royals were also registered. But the anti-monarchal protests in Britain are not new. As T.S.Eliot wrote, “between idea and reality/between the motion/And the act/ falls the shadow”. The protest is the idea and the reality of monarchal head is the shadow of that monarch still strike backs. But why does this protest going on?
How are people protesting against the new King Charles III?
This week, police arrested people protesting against the monarchy. One of the first instances was reported on Sunday, when Symon Hill from Oxford was arrested after he shouted, “who elected him?”, while a document formally proclaiming Charles III as king was read aloud. Paul Powlesland, on Monday said he was questioned by the police because he “held up a blank piece of paper” at Parliament Square.
Why are people protesting against the monarchy?
The anti-monarchy sentiment in the UK is fueled by the “Republic campaign” which is the largest lobbying group for UK republicans. The group believes that the monarchy is an outdated system. Abolition of monarchy has also been an issue raised outside the UK in countries like Jamaica, New Zealand and Canada which are under the commonwealth rule. Some are taking the opportunity to speak against British monarchy’s history of imperialism and colonialism.
Protesters arrested at royal events is nothing New!
As Louis Althusser said the state is the “repressive state apparatuses” which dominates the working class, but not only working class but also the voice of the people. The basic, social function of the RSA (government, courts, police, and armed forces, etc.) is timely intervention within politics in favour of the interests of the ruling class. This is the profound case where, the anti-monarchy protesters have been arrested by the police for protesting against the queen and King Charles III. Many protesters have been arrested previously, like one of the protesters singing his version of the Beatles’ Yellow Submarine, reworked as “well all live in a fascist regime”. And in 2002, during the Golden Jubilee, a group of 23 anti-monarchy activists staging a protest in Tower Hill with the banner “execute the Queen” were arrested.
What does this Arrest Imply?
Free speech is fundamental to any democracy. Graham Smith stated, “at a time when the media is saturated with fawning over a king appointed without discussion or consent, it is even more important.” The arrests come after the government passed a contentious law-and-order bill that toughens police powers to limit disruptive protests. This blank canvases has become the new symbol of protest. The fundamental laws have been attacked by the arrest. People have been arrested for expressing opinions like the right to question the head of states.
Freedom speech and opinion have always been attacked by the ruling class. History have evidence how freedom of speech and opinion have been suppressed by the ruling classes or subverted in their favour. In Aeropagitica, John Milton writes in favour of free press. British government to suppress the republicans have used force, this shows how hegemony works. The policing law has been made the law, which gives greater power to police over protest and assembly. This could lead to unethical arrests and also lead to atrocities of the police over the republicans.
