Thatcher funeral protesters urged to ‘Wear Red on Wed’

‘Show your rejection of Thatcher’s legacy by wearing red while the Government wastes millions on her funeral’

PEOPLE uncomfortable with ‘death parties’ but who want to show their peaceful opposition to the legacy of former Tory Prime Minister Baroness Margaret Thatcher during her quasi-state funeral on Wednesday are being urged to ‘Wear Red on Wed’.

Online campaigns are being run from Twitter (@WearRedOnWed) with more than 600 followers, and Facebook (WearRedOnThe17thApril) with 3,300 likes. Its bio says:

“Wear red on Wednesday 17th April. Show your rejection of Thatcher’s legacy by wearing red while the Government wastes millions on her funeral. Everywhere.”

Meanwhile, upwards of 200 people have said they plan to attend the funeral but turn their backs when the cortege passes St Paul’s Cathedral.

One of the organisers said:

“The world press will not be able to avoid recording how many of us reject the legacy of the ‘no such thing as society’ woman and the police won’t be able to find a hot spot to kettle or disperse.”

Metropolitan Police chiefs have asked protesters to notify them in advance of any actions they propose to take, prompting fears of pre-emptive arrests or police actions if not outright ridicule.

Comedian and left-wing campaigner Mark Steel tweeted in response:

“The police ‘ask anyone planning to turn their back on the funeral to let them know in advance’. Is there a special form? And what about turning sideways? The police need to be clearer about this.”

Richard Knights replied:

“Can’t wait for someone to turn around to say to the person behind them, ‘I loved Thatcher me,’ only to get arrested.”