It seems that Australian republicans are not the only ones who are prepared to desecrate the very day set aside to honour those who have fought and too often died for their country. We saw this in Australia 2010 when leading republicans used ANZAC Day to promote flag change and advance some politicians’ republic. Now an official inquiry established that in their campaign, the republicans misled the viewers on a national TV programme.
The United Kingdom republican movement, who work with Australian and other republicans through a transnational organisation called ‘Common Cause’, decided to follow this appalling precedent on the recent UK Armed Forces Day.
This was rightly condemned by Thomas J. Muscatello-DeLacroix Mills, the outspoken Secretary General of the British Monarchist League.
He pointed out that while the Royal Family attended ceremonies throughout the United Kingdom in respect for those who have served, are serving, and have given so much in sacrifice for our great nation, a small group of protesters sent a huge message to the brave men and woman who serve our nation: “We have no respect for you”!
The pressure group Republic staged not just a gathering, but an illegal protest outside the gates of Buckingham Palace on Armed Forces Day just to bring attention to their misleading propaganda about Royal Finances. It was of course just before the Palace had scheduled the release of this year’s Royal Expenditure figures.
For an organisation that claims the Crown is out of touch with the people, it is surely Republic and its followers who are truly the ones out of touch.
…disrespect…
Of all days on the calendar to stage a protest, Republic chose Armed Forces Day to show the nation that they will stop at nothing to cause ill feeling and create a show of blatant disrespect not just towards the Crown, but towards the men and woman who fight for the nation.
By their lack of respect for our Armed Forces, Republic has shown a lack of respect to the entire nation on a day that should be revered as one of the utmost respect and pride for being British as displayed by our her people in uniform.
Republic applied to The Royal Parks for permission to hold their demonstration, but their request was denied as protests or demonstrations within the Royal Parks are not allowed.
Buckingham Palace is considered part of the The Royal Parks, Republic ignored the decision and any possible legal implications of staging a protest, and continued to gather illegally in front of the Palace.
While members of the Royal Family were participating in an onerous schedule of ceremony and parade to show respect, dignity and pride for our nation, a small group of republicans gathered in front of the darkened and vacant Palace with banners and signs.
…disrespect to armed forces…
Led by a smug Graham Smith with one hand in his pocket and another on his megaphone, they held up banners and signs that read “Tiaras or Teachers” , “Get your hands out of my pockets” and “Are we all in this together?”.
Ridiculously claiming the Crown spends frivolously on jewels, tiaras, and materials on a daily basis they continued to circle the Victoria Memorial with their republican banter and 1789 rhetoric on a day that should have been spent supporting and celebrating our citizens in uniform.
In a blatant show of disrespect to our soldiers and a keen disregard for our laws, Republic took it upon themselves to show the nation that they are a walking, talking, and breathing contradiction, in which they themselves feel entitled, above the law, and better than those who put their lives on the line everyday to keep us all (including illegal republican protestors) free.
Republic has spent years attacking the Crown and more directly Her Majesty the Queen for being aloof, expensive and not worth the money that is costs to run the monarchy.
They have based years of their lives and their entire smear campaign of the Crown on the simple but false basis that the Crown is a band of privileged people, who are above the law and see themselves as better than the “common” citizen of the United Kingdom. In today’s display, Republic has violated their own platform by adhering to the very ideology for which they attack the Crown.
…media attention strategy…
Just to get media attention, Republic has really over stepped the mark by choosing one of the most important days in the national calendar, which is more than a slap in the face to the United Kingdom in whole.
Armed Forces Day is a day of national celebration, a day of pride, and a day of respect for our soldiers. With their misleading series of lies regarding royal finances, it is clear that this group is prepared to use radical, as well as illegal means to justify their warped and false views of our cherished and respected institution.
Next week when released, the royal finance report will demonstrate how misleading Republic’s propaganda is.
On this special day, we thank our Armed Forces in particular, for their service and for their continued commitment to the protection of our shores and the people who inhabit them. Without them, we would not be who, or where we are today. Their sacrifices are great, and their courage even greater and today above all others they are thought of, respected and cherished as an institution in their own right.
On behalf of the British Monarchist League, Happy Armed Forces Day, and may God Save The Queen!