Animal Rights Activists Interrupt Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Arrested

Animal rights activists linked to Extinction Rebellion have been arrested after causing chaos as soon as the platinum jubilee celebrations started. The disruptors stormed the Mall during the Trooping the Colour parade on the day of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

After protesters jumped over barriers lining the Mall and confronted marching Grenadier Guards with leaflets demanding an end to hunting on royal land, Scotland Yard said officers made several arrests.

Animal Rebellion blames the crown's inaction on issues of climate emergency, in addition to their continued support for meat, fishing, and dairy.

Activism via Social Media

The animal rights protesters tweeted calling on Animal Rebels to disrupt the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, demanding that royal land be reclaimed.

The group also tweeted about taking bigger action against the dairy industry during the summer season. In the tweet, the group called for other protesters.

At about 10:10 a.m., as a military band marched along, police dragged a group of protesters out of the way.

Activists were pinned to the ground by police near marching guards taking part in the Trooping the Color parade, according to photos from the incident.

The arrests were made for highway obstruction, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

On Twitter, the Metropolitan Police Department showed their support for the police officers by clapping for them as they returned to their posts after quickly dealing with the incident.

Animal Rebellion splattered red paint on the fountain outside Buckingham Palace last year, claiming the Queen had "blood on her hands." The group opposes the use of crown lands for hunting and animal agriculture, as well as the Queen's efforts to have her land exempted from a carbon-reduction initiative.

Beau King Houston, one of those taking action, stated that the royal family has had decades to lead the way on a just transition to plant-based farming and has failed to do so. He said that this transition is common sense and simple and that everybody wins.

These jubilee celebrations will cost the taxpayer tens, if not hundreds of millions of pounds, according to Robert Gordon, a spokesperson for the group. Gordon added that all of this is happening while taxpayers struggle with the cost of living crisis and families across the country become more reliant on food banks, The Guardian reports.

Read also: Scientists Hold Climate Change Protests Worldwide: Violence and Arrests Reported in Some Cities 

Police Duties via Social Media

The police and Royal Parks advised people to avoid the area surrounding Buckingham Palace because the viewing space was limited.

The Royal Parks shared on social media that crowds have flocked to St James's Park for Trooping the Colour and public viewing areas are now at full capacity. They urged the public to enjoy the Jubilee celebrations elsewhere than at St. James's Park.

The Metropolitan Police Events account also tweeted that the viewing areas in central London for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations are already full, adding their recommendation to avoid the said areas to avoid the disappointment of not being able to enter the viewing areas.

Trooping the Colour

Trooping the Colour is when the sovereign inspects British and Commonwealth regiments personally. Trooping the Colour is a military ceremony that translates to "carrying the flag." Soldiers needed to be able to recognize each regiment's color - a military term for the flag - to know who was who on the battlefield.

Related article: Animal Welfare Alliance Calls for Repairing a 'Broken' Animal Welfare System in Australia