Hundreds join ‘kill the bill’ rallies across Britain against proposed protest law

LONDON (WBHnews) -Tons of of demonstrators joined marches and rallies throughout Britain on Saturday as a part of a “nationwide weekend of motion” in opposition to a proposed new legislation that might give police additional powers to curb protests.

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts invoice would toughen measures officers can take to disperse demonstrations, corresponding to imposing time and noise limits, which campaigners and activists worry can be used to curb dissent.

For the reason that invoice was introduced earlier than parliament final month, there have been sporadic protests, notably in Bristol, southwest England, the place demonstrations turned violent with officers and a police station bombarded with bricks and glass bottles and police autos set on fireplace.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson criticised what he described as “disgraceful assaults” on officers, however protesters have accused police of utilizing heavy-handed techniques.

On Saturday, local weather change group Extinction Riot (XR) and the Black Lives Matter (BLM) motion joined different activists for “kill the invoice” rallies in London and different cities and cities, together with Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds and Brighton.

“The federal government are attempting to curtail protests – particularly BLM and XR – that’s what this invoice is all about. We would like the clauses on this invoice about protests quashed,” stated Mark Duncan, one among a crowd of greater than 500 marching by central London, banging drums and chanting.

Days of protests by Extinction Riot paralysed components of London in early 2019, motion which fuelled calls from some politicians for the police to be given the more durable powers to forestall extreme disruption.

Demonstrations had not been permitted whereas a coronavirus lockdown was in place, however restrictions have been eased this week, which means organised rallies can go forward offering they’re “COVID safe”.

In London, police warned, “enforcement motion will probably be taken, if wanted, within the pursuits of public well being”.

Some senior officers have stated the “kill the invoice” tag was intentionally provocative as “the invoice” is a nickname in Britain for the police.