Police fine member of anti-lockdown group during attempted demonstration in a Rugby park

Members of the group attempted to meet today at Whitehall Rec
Whitehall Rec, where the group attempted to hold a second demonstration.Whitehall Rec, where the group attempted to hold a second demonstration.
Whitehall Rec, where the group attempted to hold a second demonstration.

Police issued a Fixed Penalty Notice to at least one resident today, November 7, as an anti-lockdown group attempted to organise its second demonstration in the town this week.

The group has been attempting to invoke a clause of the Magna Carta and a belief that statute law only applies to those who agree with it as an argument against having to follow lockdown measures.

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This afternoon a small number of residents attempted to meet at Whitehall Recreation Ground to stage a protest.

The group's first demonstration, held in the town centre on November 4.The group's first demonstration, held in the town centre on November 4.
The group's first demonstration, held in the town centre on November 4.

Warwickshire Police issued a statement earlier, explaining they were aware that a protest was planned for 1pm and warning residents that any breaches of the rules may result in fines.

Police officers were present for the event and the Advertiser understands that at least one Fixed Penalty Notice was issued.

The group staged its first demonstration on Wednesday, November 4, outside the clock tower in the town centre.

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Although there was a small police presence at the first demonstration, there was no intervention because it was held before the day before the new lockdown began.

Around 50 people attended the first protest where a business owner gave a speech explaining that she would be keeping her tattoo parlour open during lockdown.

The Advertiser understands a handful of businesses considered 'non-essential' in the town have refused to close since the November 5 lockdown.

Following the first of the group's protests, Rugby Borough Council issued a statement urging non-essential businesses not to put themselves at risk of enforcement action by staying open.

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A spokesperson said: "Pubs, restaurants, non-essential shops, salons and tattoo studios are among the businesses that must remain closed.

"Pubs and restaurants are permitted to provide takeaway only services, while shops can still provide click-and-collect.

"Rugby Borough Council is offering support to businesses that adapt their service in order to comply through the council’s licensing, commercial regulation and economic development teams.

"But businesses that are not permitted to open will be visited to ensure compliance with enforcement action following where businesses refuse to comply.

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"Contrary to information being circulated by a handful of businesses, Magna Carta, common law and freemen of the land status do not give any legal grounds to remain open."

Cllr Seb Lowe, leader of Rugby Borough Council, said: “I know how tough it is for businesses that have been forced to close again, just as they were starting to get back towards a normal trading environment.

“We will continue to do everything we can to support businesses.

"We will shortly be able to start distributing the government’s business support grants, can provide online click and collect services through the ShopAppy service we are funding, and can help businesses to diversify into takeaway and off-sales.

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“However, where businesses listen to misinformation and ill-informed opinion and choose to deliberately flout the law despite our support and advice, we will take enforcement action.

“It is up to all of us to do everything we can to make sure that the infection rate drops. We all want to get back to business as soon as we can.”

Rugby businesses can contact the council’s economic development team for general advice and support by contacting [email protected].

For help with becoming a takeaway establishment they can contact [email protected].

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Rugby council said details of the government business support grants will be announced as soon as they are finalised.

For more information see www.rugby.gov.uk/coronavirus.

What does the anti-lockdown group believe?

The group appears to base its arguments on several points, including Clause 61 of the Magna Carta.

They believe this clause provides a right to 'lawful dissent and rebellion' if citizens feel they are being governed unjustly.

From this they believe they can ignore the Coronavirus laws - a theory which has been spreading across the country on social media.

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Independent charity Full Fact has previously addressed this theory - explaining that Clause 61 of the 1215 Magna Carta laid down rules for 25 specific barons to lawfully dissent or rebel.

Click here to read Full Fact's article on this subject.There was no provision in the clause for ordinary people to dissent or rebel, and the clause was removed from later versions of the document.

The group appears to also believe that statute law - such as the rules set out in the Coronavirus Act - does not apply to those who do not 'consent' to it.

Thus followers of the theory believe that they can 'opt-out' of having to follow statute law by 'withdrawing their consent'.

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This theory has been circulated for many years and is often used by a fringe group called 'Freemen on the Land' - who usually refuse to pay council tax or register, tax and insure their vehicles.

There is no record of it ever being deployed successfully as a defence in a court.