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Kill the Bill protesters return again to Bristol’s streets
A peaceful protest that started with impassioned speeches on College Green made its way through central Bristol before eventually winding down back at the start point.
The city’s latest demonstration against the controversial Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill on Saturday was one of many across the country as people took part in a national day of action to voice their opposition to the government’s proposed new legislation.
Alongside the now-familiar chants of “this is what democracy looks like”, there were cries of “where’s the Windrush money?” “Where’s the justice for Grenfell” and “Black Lives Matter” as people made their way through the city centre, up Park Street and back round to College Green.
is needed now More than ever
From solidarity with sex workers to Gypsy, Roma and traveller right and the defence of protest itself, there were many different reasons people gave for turning out with placards once again to oppose the bill that would – among many things – give police more powers to restrict demonstrations.
Unlike most of the previous Kill the Bill protests, this one took place in a Bristol already bustling with people following the easing of Covid restrictions on Monday. As the protest marched past the Hope & Anchor on Jacob’s Wells Road, a few people outside cheered their support.
At places, drivers beeped their horns in solidarity but others voiced anger at the protesters for causing disruption.
Protesters move on from sitting on the road outside the Hippodrome and head up Park Street
At one point, police asked protesters sat in the middle of the road outside Bristol Hippodrome to move on as they were causing an obstruction.
After a 2pm start, things eventually wound down at around 8.30pm when the final few protesters returned to College Green to sit in and among the painted hearts.
The protest wound its way through the city centre, up Park Street, down Jacob’s Wells Road and back to College Green
Police officers follow the protest down Jacob’s Wells Road
Back on College Green, Elliott and Ari say they are protesting in solidarity with sex workers
All photos by Ellie Pipe
Read more: Extinction Rebellion protest against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts bill
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