Anti-face mask protesters gather in London
London: Around 100 people gathered in London’s Hyde Park to protest against face coverings becoming mandatory in shops from this week, according to media reports.
The rules are already in place in Scotland, with England due to follow suit on July 24, the Mtero newspaper reported. From that date, anyone not wearing a mask inside a store can be asked to leave or made to pay a 100-pound fine by the police.
Those attending Sunday’s demonstration could be seen wearing masks cut up to expose their mouths and carrying placards that read: “I will not be masked, tested, tracked or poisoned. This will not be my new normal.”
One man was photographed wearing a white t-shirt that said: “Save human rights, no to 5G, no to vaccinations,” while another woman had the words “question everything” emblazoned on the front of her top.
Speaking to Sky News, Leah Butler-Smith, one of the protest organisers, explained that she wasn’t against face masks in general, but did not like the government telling people “they have no choice but to wear one”.
“Because the government started out by saying there was absolutely no way there was any need for a mask, and many other independent scientists have repeatedly said the same, then it didn’t make sense why they were suddenly going to be mandated – but only in some places.
“Shop workers who are being exposed to the public all the time don’t have to wear them but the person going into the shop is expected to wear it. It just doesn’t make any sense.”
Butler-Smith also accused the government of trying to “deliberately frighten people” and she said she thought ministers “absolutely” had an ulterior motive to making masks compulsory.
The demonstration comes after the Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed the new rules surrounding face asks in shops, telling the public: “We cannot let our progress today lead to complacency tomorrow,” reports the Metro newspaper. (IANS)
US police say they arrested 12-year-old car thief
New Castle (US): Police in Delaware say a 12-year-old boy stole a pickup truck from a gas station then led officers on a high-speed chase before crashing and trying to escape on foot.
Delaware State Police said the boy stole the 2003 Ford Ranger while its owner was using the ATM at a Wawa gas station in New Castle Saturday.
Police did not provide the boy’s name.
When police located the truck, the boy refused to stop and led police on a chase. After crashing into a parked car, police said the suspect did a U-turn, sped up and then crashed into a guardrail after failing to make a curve.
Police said the boy exited the truck after the crash and tried to flee on foot before he was arrested by troopers. Police said the boy is facing multiple charges, including three felonies, and was released back to his guarding on a 8,008 bond. (AP)