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Anti-lockdown protesters march through Broadmead
A group of around 200 people protesting against lockdowns, tiers, masks and vaccines, among other gripes, marched through Broadmead on Saturday afternoon.
The peaceful march was organised by Stand Up Bristol, part of a bigger movement encouraging the public to protest against Covid-19 restrictions.
Individuals and small groups gradually gathered in the sunshine on College Green, some with homemade signs and t-shirts.
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Like the previous protest in November, very few wore masks – but unlike that protest, this time there were no arrests.
Broadmead was busy with Christmas shoppers as the march passed through, escorted by police.
One protester held a sign suggesting people should avoid social distancing. Photo by Jess Connett
Angus Lancaster, a member of Stand Up Bristol, addressed the crowd before leading the march through the centre and into Broadmead.
“We will stay on the road, not the pavement, or we may infect the thousands of shoppers, or they may infect us with some nasty bug,” Lancaster said, to laughter.
As of December 2, protests are permitted as long as organisers conduct a risk assessment and “do everything in their power to protect public health”, according to chief constable Andy Marsh of Avon & Somerset Police.
Failure to do so could see organisers fined £10,000.
Brislington resident Pollyanna Stokes marched at the front throughout the afternoon, behind a large banner declaring: “The more we comply, the worse it will get.”
“I’m here today because I believe the restrictions put on us by the government are unnecessary,” she told Bristol24/7.
“It’s doing a lot more damage to human beings and humanity – especially where mental health and isolation is concerned – than the virus itself.”
She explained that the first lockdown in March had left her feeling isolated and suicidal. Now, she doesn’t support any further restrictions on individuals and businesses.
“With the vaccine here now, this is really our time to start making a stand and showing that we’re actually going to resist this.
“It’s really important that as human beings we have that right.”
Brislington resident Pollyanna Stokes joined the protest because she feels lockdown and subsequent Covid-19 restrictions have been more damaging than the virus. Photo by Jess Connett
Some had travelled to Bristol for the protest, including one man, from Devon, who gave his name as Andrew.
“I’ve been following global uprisings pre-Covid,” he said. “Having done that research previously, it’s my belief that Covid-19 was brought in because there were a lot of global uprisings. There was a lot of civil unrest: anti-government, anti corruption.
“I think it’s been brought in to stifle those unrests.”
He says he does believe there is a virus but that its effects have been exaggerated by the government.
For Andrew, the protest was a chance to “stand up to the tyranny”. “Or else we’ll be in a hell of a lot of oppression,” he said.
Protesters walked through Broadmead, disrupting traffic on a busy shopping day. Photo by Jess Connett
One man out shopping with his family said that he supported the march because he had doubts about whether Covid-19 was real. He had previously tested positive for the virus, despite having no symptoms, and found it hard to believe.
On Baldwin Street, a young woman heard the protesters chanting “no more lockdown”.
She told Bristol24/7: “I think it’s awful, I think it’s selfish. So many people have died and they’re in the streets walking without masks.
“It’s really, really embarrassing. I’m really ashamed to be part of Bristol and see this.”
Turnout at the protest was significantly lower than organisers had hoped. Photo by Jess Connett
As the march turned back towards College Green, numbers had dwindled to a few dozen. Organisers had hoped that a thousand people would turn out.
Ahead of the protest, superintendent Mark Edgington from Avon & Somerset Police said the force were liaising with the organisers to keep this event safe and legal.
“Bristol remains in tier three restrictions and communities across the city are pulling together to help protect the NHS and get the virus rates down,” Edgington said.
“While gatherings of more than six people outside are still against the law, government regulations allow for some outside protest activity to take place if guidelines and regulations are met and safety measures are put in place.”
Main image by Jess Connett
Read more: 14 people arrested during Bristol anti-lockdown rally
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