Thousands attend anti-lockdown demonstration held in central London

Protestors held signs which read "Covid Passports Are Medical Tyranny"

Thousands have attended an anti-lockdown march in central London today, despite pubs and shops beginning to reopen. Many continue to protest against vaccine passports and the enforcement of face coverings in public. The proposed vaccine passports would allow people to prove that they have received a Covid-19 vaccination, which many argue will allow major events to take place once music, culture and sporting venues reopen. Those who oppose vaccine passports fear that it will result in discrimination against those who have not been vaccinated, or who choose not to produce proof of vaccination. Today, thousands of people opposed to vaccine passports marched through the streets of central London during the "Unite For Freedom" anti-lockdown demonstration. Although the march was held against the concept of vaccine passports, those in attendance continued to voice their opposition to face coverings and lockdown measures in general. [caption id="attachment_270946" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Thousands descend on central London for the "Unite For Freedom" anti-lockdown rally. (Photo by Hollie Adams/Getty Images)[/caption] Those in attendance carried signs which read "No To Vaccine Passports" and "COVID PASSPORTS ARE MEDICAL TYRANNY". [caption id="attachment_270948" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Protesters carry umbrellas saying "No to Vaxx Passport" during a "Unite For Freedom" anti-lockdown demonstration held to protest against the use of vaccine passports in the United Kingdom, on April 24, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Hollie Adams/Getty Images)[/caption] The event was attended by notable anti-lockdown figures such as London mayoral candidate Laurence Fox, a man trailing behind Count Binface in polls, and Piers Corbyn - brother of ex-Labour leader Jeremy. [caption id="attachment_270947" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Piers Corbyn holds a "Unite For Freedom" banner during this afternoon's march in London. (Photo by Hollie Adams/Getty Images)[/caption] On Twitter, the Met Police said" "We have a policing operation in central London today as a result of a number of demonstrations. "Anyone coming into London for a protest must make sure their gathering is lawful, with a risk assessment carried out by the organiser. See below our open letter on public gatherings." https://twitter.com/metpoliceevents/status/1385919386410799105?s=21 [caption id="attachment_270950" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Laurence Fox shakes hands with a protester as he attends the "Unite For Freedom" anti-lockdown demonstration in London. Fox has long opposed the government's coronavirus measures since the pandemic first emerged. (Photo by Hollie Adams/Getty Images)

[/caption] Earlier today, it emerged that over half the UK's entire population has now had a coronavirus vaccine. Over 12 million have received more than one vaccine.