A GROUP of lockdown protesters gathered on the seafront.

They were escorted by police as they marched along Hove promenade this afternoon.

But onlookers said they were unclear on what the group was protesting against.

Some people are reported to have opposed the 5G network, with a new mast in Carden Avenue, Patcham, approved earlier this month.

Conspiracy theories have linked the masts to the spread of coronavirus, but these have been ridiculed by experts.

NHS England Medical Director Stephen Powis described the theories as "the worst kind of fake news".

Others protesters objected to the idea of the development of a vaccine for coronavirus.

At Hove Lawns, one member delivered a speech to about 30 people through a megaphone.

She said:  "Are we willing to wait for a crowd while it flounders and tries to get out the sorry mess it's gotten into while evading any responsibility?

The Argus:

"Do our rights need restoring?"

"Yes," the gathering volleyed back.

"Are we scared to live our lives?" the speaker asked.

"No," the group answered.

"Come on then guys, let's go," she said to a chorus of cheers before leading the group west along the seafront, in front of the Hove beach huts.

The group carried banners with messages including "no 5G" and at points during the march members could be heard chanting.

There were concerns that a lockdown protest would be staged in Brighton and Hove over the weekend after posters publicising a "UK Mass Gathering" in the city circulated on social media.

The posters, which said the event would be held at 12pm on Saturday stated: "Join the UK Freedom Movement and be part of the largest mass gathering since the lockdown.

"We say no to the coronavirus bill, no to mandatory vaccines, no to the new normal and no to the unlawful lockdown."

Responding to this, Brighton and Hove City Council leader Nancy Platts said: "We recognise people’s right to protest.

The Argus:

"But any kind of mass gathering at the moment could result in a spike in Coronavirus infections and therefore more people dying.

“It’s not just about people who may wish to protest and disregard the lockdown. It’s also about the lives of their families, friends and anyone else they may come near to.

“We would urge people to avoid visiting Brighton and Hove this weekend for protesting, exercise or any other reason – and to maintain physical distancing for the sake of all of us.” 

The Argus:

But there was a no-show for the event on the day.

It is not known whether this afternoon's protests are linked to this event.

Sussex Police have been contacted for comment.

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