Activist arrested inside Tate Britain during violent protest against drag queen story time event is supported by Piers Corbyn as he appears in court to deny two public order offences
- Lance O'Connor, 58, had support of several friends in court, including Corbyn
- Tate Britain hosting a 'Drag Queen Story Hour' event for children on February 11
A demonstrator arrested inside Tate Britain after protesting against a drag storytime event was supported by Piers Corbyn in court today.
Lance O'Connor, 58, had the support of several friends in court - including the ex Labour leader's activist brother - as he argued there was 'no case' against him and denied two public order offences.
O'Connor, who had planned to represent himself in court, initially refused to sit in the dock and interrupted the judge several times, who refused to listen to him unless he sat in the dock.
The defendant eventually entered the dock 'under duress' but was repeatedly told by the District Judge to 'be quiet'.
Lance O'Connor, a demonstrator arrested inside Tate Britain after protesting against a drag storytime event, was supported by Piers Corbyn in court today
Aida H Dee's story telling event is seen taking place inside Tate Britain in February
City of London Magistrates' Court heard O'Connor wished to make applications under 'article 61' of the famous Magna Carta - the Royal charter of rights from the year 1215.
Piers Corbyn, the 76-year-old brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, attended court saying he knew O'Connor and talked to him through the glass in the dock.
O'Connor, of Plaistow, East London, denied two charges of using threatening words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress against two complainants, arguing there was instead 'no case to answer'.
Two further charges relating to assaulting police staff following his arrest on February 11 are being dealt with at Southwark Crown Court.
O'Connor, wearing a grey suit and a patterned tie, began by arguing for his case to be adjourned - saying the judge who had dealt with his case at Southwark Crown Court had ordered for his charges to be 'amalgamated' and complaining he had only recently received video footage of the incident.
Piers Corbyn, the 76-year-old brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, attended court saying he knew O'Connor and talked to him through the glass in the dock
Anti fascists and members of Stand up to Racism demonstrated against the protest at the Tate Britain
In honour of LGBTQ history month Aida H Dee was booked to perform for children. Above: Protesters clash
Following several breaks, O'Connor - who has previously refused legal representation - decided he wished for solicitor Sundeep Pankhania to represent him in his future court appearances.
O'Connor, upon entering the court and refusing to sit in the dock, produced his birth certificate and placed the document in the dock, saying: 'Mr Lance O'Connor is now entering the dock.
'This is my birth certificate. I am a living man. If they want me to go in there then I need a contract and full disclosure.'
After eventually entering the dock himself 'under duress', O'Connor also initially refused to stand for the judge, saying, 'I am a living man and I do not rise for the dead'.
O'Connor repeatedly struggled to hear what was being said in court and continually asked for those speaking to speak louder.
His case has now been adjourned for a future hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court, where it is hoped he will be able to hear better.
On Saturday February 11, violent protests erupted outside the Tate Britain art gallery on Millbank, central London, which was hosting a 'Drag Queen Story Hour' event for children that day.
On Saturday February 11, violent protests erupted outside the Tate Britain art gallery on Millbank, central London, which was hosting a 'Drag Queen Story Hour' event for children that day
Tales were advertised to be read by Aida H Dee, who was described on the gallery's website as being 'the first drag artist in Europe to read stories to children in a nursery'.
A group of demonstrators organised a protest outside the gallery, which was met by trans-rights counter-protesters and political groups such as Stand Up to Racism.
Aida had been staging three storytelling sessions on Saturday at 11am, noon and 2pm.
CCTV and police body camera footage of the incident shows O'Connor inside the Tate Gallery, complaining 'they're indoctrinating them'.
Frances McCormack, prosecuting, told the court that body-worn footage from police officers who attended the gallery captured 'some of the words' used by O'Connor during the incident.
Ms McCormack added other footage showed O'Connor's 'oral response' to his arrest.
O'Connor is next due to appear for a further case management hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on April 25.
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