Jumat, 26 Maret 2021

Bristol Kill the Bill protest: Protesters sit in front of blocked road - BBC News

Stand-off between protesters and police

A stand-off between protesters and police is under way in the centre of Bristol.

Hundreds of people marched during a Kill the Bill protest which stopped at line of police in riot gear at Bridewell police station.

The building had been the scene of disorder on Sunday where windows were smashed and police vans torched.

Police urged protesters to go home, adding "proportionate enforcement action will be taken" if they did not.

Officers blocked off the road to the police station but hundreds of protesters sat on the road in front.

Protesters chanted "ten years for protest, five years for rape" and "justice for Sarah", referring to the recent murder of Sarah Everard who went missing while walking home in London.

Others held daffodils aloft and chanted "peaceful protest".

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Earlier, the city's main bus company halted services through the city centre to avoid the protest.

The first demonstration held last Sunday started off peacefully but descended into disorder.

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BBC reporter Scott Ellis, at the scene

It is very much a dynamic situation here.

Crowds are still gathering in front of a line of police officers and police vans close to Bridewell Police Station. That area is being kept very clear of protesters.

This has caused immense traffic problems in the centre of Bristol including with the bus company diverting its services.

So far we understand no arrests have been made and it has been peaceful.

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Protester against police riot shields
PA Media
Kill the Bill march in Bristol

The protesters are opposed to the government's proposed Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.

Currently going through Parliament, the legislation would give the police in England and Wales more power to impose conditions on non-violent protests, including those deemed too noisy or a nuisance.

Those convicted under the proposed legislation could face a fine or jail.

Police line
EPA
Protesters sat in Bristol
EPA

Sunday's demonstration started off peacefully with about 3,000 attending but descended into disorder when around 500 people marched on Bridewell Street.

Avon and Somerset Police is investigating assaults on 40 officers and one member of the media.

Nine people have been arrested in connection with the disorder, which saw officers attacked, police vehicles set on fire and the windows of a police station smashed.

A second protest took place on College Green on Tuesday night and resulted in 15 arrests.

Earlier police urged people not to attend the protest because public gatherings are not currently permitted under coronavirus legislation.

Ch Supt Claire Armes said: "Once again, we remind everyone that we're still in a pandemic which has cost many lives and remains a significant challenge for our colleagues in the NHS.

Kill the Bill march in Bristol

Police minister Kit Malthouse said: "The vast majority of the people in this country recognise the job, the vital job, the police are doing, and have been co-operating.

"Sadly we've seen in the last few days that a small minority aren't.

"Obviously in those circumstances the police have to take proportional action."

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2021-03-26 20:35:16Z
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