Protesters vow to pelt Thatcher’s coffin with eggs, coal or milk
17 April 2013 7:19 AM IST
London police are bracing for protests at Margaret Thatcher’s funeral on Wednesday, with opponents vowing to pelt her coffin with eggs, coal or milk if they can get close enough – or simply turn their backs on the passing procession.
More than 800 people have pledged to attend an event called ‘Maggie’s good riddance party’, promising a ‘right jolly knees-up’ outside St Paul’s Cathedral – where 2,000 global political leaders, celebrities and friends will be paying their respects to the former British PM.
‘Let the world know the hypocrisy of a state-funded funeral for the person who influenced 30 years of cuts to state funding of welfare,’ the protest’s Facebook page reads. ‘If taxpayers are funding her funeral... we can at least get our money’s worth.’
The former Conservative Party leader’s death has sparked furious debate in Britain over her legacy – and over the decision to grant her a state-funded ceremonial funeral, which by some estimates will cost the taxpayer up to £10 million ($15 million, 12 million euros).
Her critics, who accuse her of ruining millions of lives with her radical free-market reforms, greeted news of her death from a stroke last week with impromptu street parties.
Hundreds of people filled Trafalgar Square on Saturday, erected a giant effigy of her and shouted ‘Maggie, Maggie, Maggie! Dead, dead, dead!’
Scotland Yard has launched a massive security operation, fearing that protesters could attack the 1.9-kilometre route between parliament and St Paul’s. Her coffin will be carried on a horse-drawn gun carriage through streets lined with military personnel.
More than 800 people have pledged to attend an event called ‘Maggie’s good riddance party’, promising a ‘right jolly knees-up’ outside St Paul’s Cathedral – where 2,000 global political leaders, celebrities and friends will be paying their respects to the former British PM.
‘Let the world know the hypocrisy of a state-funded funeral for the person who influenced 30 years of cuts to state funding of welfare,’ the protest’s Facebook page reads. ‘If taxpayers are funding her funeral... we can at least get our money’s worth.’
The former Conservative Party leader’s death has sparked furious debate in Britain over her legacy – and over the decision to grant her a state-funded ceremonial funeral, which by some estimates will cost the taxpayer up to £10 million ($15 million, 12 million euros).
Her critics, who accuse her of ruining millions of lives with her radical free-market reforms, greeted news of her death from a stroke last week with impromptu street parties.
Hundreds of people filled Trafalgar Square on Saturday, erected a giant effigy of her and shouted ‘Maggie, Maggie, Maggie! Dead, dead, dead!’
Scotland Yard has launched a massive security operation, fearing that protesters could attack the 1.9-kilometre route between parliament and St Paul’s. Her coffin will be carried on a horse-drawn gun carriage through streets lined with military personnel.
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