Anti-lockdown protests startle UK’s parliament, PM residence in London

Huge anti-lockdown rallies and protests were witnessed through central London on Saturday as thousands marched towards UK Prime Minister’s residence at Downing Street and the parliament wielding and pelting tennis balls.

United Kingdom has pushed back its plans for reopening by at least four weeks following the spike in COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant of the virus. Originally, the country was scheduled to ease COVID curbs on June 19, 2021.

Also Read: Delta variant cases rise in UK by 46% as nation investigates Lambda variant

The crowd, which was thousands in number, travelled through Hyde Park, Oxford Street and made its way to the parliament. They carried flags while shouting and whistling, demanding an end to the COVID-19 restrictions. 

“The main reason I’m here is because I feel this lockdown has come at the cost of our liberty and rights,” said Iain McCausland, who had travelled from Devon on England’s southwest coast.

“Our freedom to assemble, our freedom to travel, and work. I’m really quite angry with the government, so are everyone here.”

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One placard demanded “arrest Hancock”, in reference to Health Minister Matt Hancock, who hit the headlines on Friday after CCTV footage of him emerged kissing an aide inside a government office.

Hancock, on Sunday, stepped down from his position 

after revelations that he breached the government’s COVID-19 curbs during an affair with a close aide.