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muriel_volestrangler

(104,686 posts)
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 05:07 AM 8 hrs ago

Four arrested after images of Trump and Epstein projected on to Windsor Castle ahead of president's visit

Source: The Guardian

Four people have been arrested after images of Donald Trump alongside deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were projected on to Windsor Castle, where the US president is set to be hosted by King Charles during his state visit to Britain.

Trump arrived in Britain late on Tuesday for an unprecedented second state visit, and will be greeted by Charles on Wednesday for a day of pomp at Windsor Castle, about 25 miles west of London.

Earlier on Tuesday, protesters unfurled a massive banner featuring a photograph of Trump and Epstein near Windsor Castle, and later projected several images of the two on to one of the castle’s towers.

The police said in a statement four adults were arrested on suspicion of malicious communications after an “unauthorised projection” at Windsor Castle, which they described as a “public stunt”. The four remain in custody.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/17/four-arrested-after-image-of-trump-and-epstein-projected-onto-windsor-castle-ahead-of-presidents-visit



Notice they've been kept in custody overnight - this was not just "arrest them so they can turn off the projector". "Malicious communications" is normally used for harassment, intimidation and so on - eg a police document lists it under "Threats and intimidation" and "Psychological abuse".

Somehow, when Trump turns up, everyone becomes authoritarian.



23 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Four arrested after images of Trump and Epstein projected on to Windsor Castle ahead of president's visit (Original Post) muriel_volestrangler 8 hrs ago OP
Incredible-We Need This Capability for No Kings Day MrWowWow 8 hrs ago #1
Can Charles pardon them? raccoon 8 hrs ago #2
The government does pardons, not the monarch muriel_volestrangler 7 hrs ago #3
No. He is head of state only. Has little formal legal power. Irish_Dem 7 hrs ago #5
Telling the truth about criminals is harassment and abuse? Irish_Dem 7 hrs ago #4
"Malicious Communications" ????????????????????? popsdenver 45 min ago #20
Everyone seems to fall in line to ass kiss our Dear Leader. Irish_Dem 21 min ago #23
Thank you, UK heroes! perdita9 7 hrs ago #6
Bravo! Alice B. 6 hrs ago #7
How about a medal otchmoson 6 hrs ago #8
I can't love what they're doing nearly enough - especially the channel 4 lie debunking thing Alice B. 4 hrs ago #12
It is rather degrading to the castle. twodogsbarking 6 hrs ago #9
Perhaps Raven123 3 hrs ago #17
I love the Brits! From what I've heard this morning, the reason they're hiding Trump at Windsor Castle is Vinca 5 hrs ago #10
Wouldn't he be just as safe at the Baskerville mansion... IthinkThereforeIAM 2 hrs ago #19
they should have also put up a pict with Andrew and Epstein as well. nt Javaman 5 hrs ago #11
IANAL, but I'll be surprised if they can make those charges stick if it ever makes it to court Emrys 4 hrs ago #13
Most certainly popsdenver 37 min ago #21
And, yet, some Americans talk about moving to the UK to get out of this country. They are a U.S. copy there. Wonder Why 4 hrs ago #14
Send in the National Guard!! JohnnyRingo 4 hrs ago #15
On behalf of all the decent people on earth, I hereby award BoRaGard 3 hrs ago #16
And a Nobel Peace Prize... travelingthrulife 3 hrs ago #18
For projecting historical photos? AllyCat 25 min ago #22

MrWowWow

(1,167 posts)
1. Incredible-We Need This Capability for No Kings Day
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 05:10 AM
8 hrs ago

Definitely Seattle will be on this. Nighttime projection is always tricky.

muriel_volestrangler

(104,686 posts)
3. The government does pardons, not the monarch
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 05:32 AM
7 hrs ago

although they are "in the monarch's name". The last monarch to try a pardon on his own was George IV (reigned 1820-1830), according to Wikipedia, referencing a House of Commons note:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_prerogative_of_mercy

Not since the 19th century has the monarch attempted to exercise this
prerogative personally. King George IV wished to influence the Lord
Lieutenant of Ireland in exercising the prerogative of mercy in relation to a
death sentence for an inhabitant of Clare who had burned his own house
down. When Sir Robert Peel, the then Home Secretary, threatened
resignation, the King gave way. Cases of persons sentenced to death at the
Old Bailey were once considered by the monarch at a meeting of the Privy
Council. George IV often advocated mercy until over-ruled by his advisers.

https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9877/CBP-9877.pdf

And the current government, though Labour, are trying to "look tough" - there's no chance they'd let anyone off if they were convicted.

popsdenver

(452 posts)
20. "Malicious Communications" ?????????????????????
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 12:37 PM
45 min ago

Wow, there is a new Crime...........

I am sure that Trump will be quick to pick up on that and institute it here in America.

Trump has most certainly already sent that phrase, "Malicious Communications," to his CABAL .....especially Patel and Bondi, and we will soon be installing it as a Federal Felony here in America. He has already been doing it, going after everyone who is outspoken about him and his fascist tyranny, but now has a catchy name for the charges against anyone that speaks out against him or his administration.......The Republicans in the Senate and House, along with the Republicans Justices in the U.S. Supreme Court will jump right on it to back him up......

The Brit's are apparently hedging their bets also, by honoring him.......... Guess Trump has them all frightened, just as he has done with so many other people and nations........

perdita9

(1,304 posts)
6. Thank you, UK heroes!
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 06:21 AM
7 hrs ago

It's the people who are showing courage in standing up to a wannabe dictator. The media, the courts and conservatives are actively and passively destroying our democracy for profit or out of cowardice.

otchmoson

(217 posts)
8. How about a medal
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 06:58 AM
6 hrs ago

Isn't there a royal medal that could be bestowed on the perpetrators? They deserve it!

Alice B.

(616 posts)
12. I can't love what they're doing nearly enough - especially the channel 4 lie debunking thing
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 08:35 AM
4 hrs ago

They need a medal, too!

Raven123

(7,032 posts)
17. Perhaps
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 09:32 AM
3 hrs ago

Some would suggest hosting Trump is more degrading, but I get your point. I think we tried going high when he went low and it didn’t work out so well. I guess they learned from our experience.

Vinca

(52,679 posts)
10. I love the Brits! From what I've heard this morning, the reason they're hiding Trump at Windsor Castle is
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 07:38 AM
5 hrs ago

to prevent massive demonstrations in London.

IthinkThereforeIAM

(3,224 posts)
19. Wouldn't he be just as safe at the Baskerville mansion...
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 11:02 AM
2 hrs ago

... the word "mansion" would be the hook to get Der Dingleberry to at least visit. "Release the hound"!

Emrys

(8,709 posts)
13. IANAL, but I'll be surprised if they can make those charges stick if it ever makes it to court
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 08:36 AM
4 hrs ago

It's hard to disagree with a Led By Donkeys spokesperson quoted in The Independent:

"My colleagues were arrested for malicious communications, which seems ridiculous, because we’ve done 25 or 30 projections before, no-one’s ever been arrested,” the spokesperson told the PA news agency on Wednesday.

“In fact, sometimes the police have just watched while we’ve done it.

“So suddenly, because it’s Trump, you get this reaction, which is surprising, disappointing and very heavy-handed from police.

“I think they’ve been arrested for embarrassing Donald Trump,” the spokesperson added.

“It’s because Donald Trump’s got a very thin skin. They’re protecting his ego.”

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/thames-valley-police-led-by-donkeys-trump-windsor-castle-windsor-b2828211.html


Other grounds for the arrest may include embarrassing the security services, but that's not reported as appearing on the charge sheet, nor is it an offence in itself, much as some might wish it to be.

The legislation they appear to be held in custody under would be the Malicious Communications Act (1988), which applies in England and Wales. It should be noted that they're currently only being held on "suspicion" of malicious communications.

It's in no way clear how the projections meet the legal criteria of a set of messages which is "indecent or grossly offensive; or threatening; or contains information which is false or believed to be false" or intended to "cause distress or anxiety" (intent is one of the keys to prosecution under this legislation).

popsdenver

(452 posts)
21. Most certainly
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 12:45 PM
37 min ago

Trump was ecstatic at the fact that they arrested those who did it......and is itching to get back to the U.S. where he can institute the charge of
"Malicious Communications" here in the U.S. to include people with protest signs peacefully protesting, as well as any of us saying ANYTHING against Trump or members of his CABAL on ANY internet group like D.U. etc

Now he can justify it by saying the U.K. has been doing it for years.............

Wonder Why

(6,187 posts)
14. And, yet, some Americans talk about moving to the UK to get out of this country. They are a U.S. copy there.
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 09:00 AM
4 hrs ago

BoRaGard

(7,517 posts)
16. On behalf of all the decent people on earth, I hereby award
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 09:29 AM
3 hrs ago

these four people a full Citizen's Pardon, and a Citizen's Medal of Honor.

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