23 March 2021 - "Kill the Bill" protests in Bristol
Kill the Bill explained - what are people angry about?
Neil Shaw (Wales Online, 22/03/2021)
The “Kill the Bill” protest in Bristol was organised against the Government’s Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which could see the police handed more powers to tackle demonstrations.
The wide-ranging proposals, as part of efforts to overhaul the justice system, cut offending and make streets safer, also include laws to reform sentencing, the courts and handling offenders.
If passed, some of the measures will be UK-wide while others may only apply in England and Wales.
'A game of two halves': how Bristol protest went from calm to mayhem
Steven Morris (The Guardian, 22/03/2021)
Bea, a 19-year-old student, and her uni friends were among the protesters who attended the “kill the bill” protest in front of the cathedral on College Green in Bristol on Sunday afternoon.
They had been warned that they would be breaking Covid restrictions if they turned up, but were nevertheless among up to 3,000 people, many of them in their late teens and 20s, who peacefully made clear their disdain for the police, crime, sentencing and courts bill.
Later, as darkness fell, Bea (not her real name) watched on aghast from her flat as New Bridewell police station in the centre of the city was besieged by hundreds of protesters, most angry, some violent.
The policing bill is a bonfire of our liberties – spare us the outrage over the Bristol protests
(The Independent, 22/03/2021)
The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill is an oppressive piece of legislation which puts draconian restrictions on the right to protest, will expand the powers of the police to “stop and search” and criminalises the Traveller and Roma community.
Even Priti Patel should have realised that such a severe attack on civil liberties would be resisted. The assault on those at the peaceful vigil for Sarah Everard at Clapham Common was a stark warning as to the probable consequences of giving the police even more powers.
So spare us the outrage over the anti-policing bill riots in Bristol. The burning of a police van is a small thing compared to a bonfire of liberties.
'Revolution tourists!' Bristol Mayor furious at violence 'Self-indulgent, self-centered!'
Claire Anderson (The Express, 22/03/2021)
Violent scenes which marred a "Kill the Bill" protest in Bristol that saw a police station attacked, officers injured and vehicles set alight have been widely condemned. Bristol mayor Marvin Rees, who said he had "major concerns" about the Government's Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, condemned the thuggery but said the disorder would be used to justify the legislation. Mass gatherings are currently banned under coronavirus legislation and anyone breaching the regulations could be fined.