Arrested for wearing a T-shirt? The coronation heralded a frightening slide towards authoritarianism | Chloe Naldrett

Just Stop Oil and Republic activists were arrested for peaceful protests. Unless we act, this will become business as usualOn Saturday morning at 5am, about 18 Just Stop Oil supporters set off to attend the coronation. Underneath their raincoats they were wearing Just Stop Oil T-shirts, and they carried small orange flags emblazoned with the logo and slogan. None were carrying glue or any lock-on devices. Once in position on the Mall, they had planned to unveil their T-shirts and wave their flags as the royal carriage passed. A move that would have spread our demand to "Just Stop Oil" across the globe.One was arrested before they managed to meet up with the group. A further 13 were arrested on the Mall, before they had revealed their T-shirts and flags. Four more supporters and an independent journalist following the group were arrested outside Downing Street. The Met confirmed it had arrested a total of 52 people around the coronation for affray, public order offences, breach of the peace and conspiracy to cause a public nuisance.Chloe Naldrett is a spokesperson for Just Stop Oil Continue reading...