A majority of Britons oppose plans to protest along the route of Margaret Thatcher's funeral, and less than half think protests should even be allowed
New YouGov research shows that a majority (60%) of the British public oppose plans to protest along the route of Margaret Thatcher's funeral. Only 28% support the protests.
The survey also found that less than half (45%) think protests at the funeral should be permitted at all.
Among those who think it should be, most (52%) think the only kind of protest that should be allowed is a silent one.
The funeral, which takes place today, will involve more than 4,000 police officers. Those interested in protesting have discussed a variety of potential tactics, including ambushing TV reports filming live from the ceremony and throwing bottles of milk into the path of the funeral cortege. Meanwhile, police have warned would-be protesters that Section 5 of the Public Order Act of 1986 gives them the power to arrest anyone causing "harassment, alarm or distress" for other attendees.
Earlier this week, however, Scotland Yard approved a proposed protest that would involve hundreds of protesters standing along the funeral procession and silently turning their backs on Lady Thatcher's flag-draped coffin as it is carried by on its way to St Paul's Cathedral.
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