UK – Thousands join ‘Kill the Bill’ rallies across the country against new protest law
Protesters have rallied in central London and dozens of other cities in England and Wales against a crime bill that critics say will impose severe restrictions on the right to protest.
Since the bill was brought before parliament last month, there have been sporadic protests, notably in Bristol, southwest England, where demonstrations turned violent with officers and a police station bombarded with bricks and glass bottles and police vehicles set on fire.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson criticised what he described as “disgraceful attacks” on officers, but protesters have accused police of using heavy-handed tactics. Speaking in Parliament Square in central London, Mr Corbyn invoked figures such as the suffragettes and Nelson Mandela as he urged the crowd to oppose the bill.
Police said 26 people were arrested after a minority refused to leave after the London protest. Anyone refusing to follow police directions about a protest could be fined up to £2,500.
