‘Kill the Bill’ protest passes off peacefully in city centre
A CROWD of nearly 200 people turned up as a “Kill the Bill” protest was held in Leicester city centre.
The gathering began with people congregating as speakers addressed the crowd from a base at the Clock Tower.
The event, which began at 1pm and was over by 3.30pm, passed off peacefully.
Police were on hand to monitor the proceedings but remained a distance from the demonstrators.
It was one of several held across the UK against a crime bill campaigners fear will limit their right to protest.
The Leicester protest began with speakers addressing the crowd, followed by music from a samba band.
The event was rounded off when the organisers held an open microphone session to allow anyone present to speak out.
Organiser Isaac Cabon said he was delighted with the way things went.
He said: “It was great. We only let people know about this a few days ago so it’s a brilliant response from the city of Leicester.
“We expected about 100 people but we did a count and reckon 200 or 300 turned up on the day.
“This is an important issue and the turnout shows what it means to the people of this city.
“We had an open microphone session at the end as, if this bill goes through, this could be the last time people might be able to speak out in public at a protest like this.”
Helen, 66, from Wigston, who was at the protest, said: “I fought for freedom in my own small way all my life right from being the age of 16.
The pensioner, who did not hive her surname, said: “My kids have actually encouraged me and are with me today and that gives me hope for the future because it’s people like them who decides who stays in charge of this country - and it cannot be the Tories.
“We need to get out onto the streets more. Countries where they
ABOUT 200 JOIN DEMONSTRATION AGAINST NEW LEGISLATION
do that, it does influence policy. We need to do that more here, not less.”
Another protestor who declined to give his surname said he was attending such an event for the first time.
Chris, 44, from Enderby, said: “I’m not into protesting but I do believe we have to protest about the environmental situation. Unless we do something now properly we’re all in trouble. The ability to act peacefully like this is our right.”
A police spokesman said: “Our officers assisted in facilitating a protest opposing a government bill at the Clock Tower in Leicester city centre.
“Around 150 people were in attendance.
“We recognise the right to protest – and our duty to facilitate peaceful protests providing they are Covidcompliant.
“As officers had been in contact with the organiser beforehand, a suitable strategy was put in place and the event passed without any issues.”
The new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill is set to give the police greater powers to respond to public protests.
MPs backed the Bill, which will see the police handed more powers to tackle protests and 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.
Several protests against the government’s bill have taken place across the country recently, most noticeably in Bristol, where angry clashes saw several police officers and protesters injured. On Saturday, thousands more took to the streets in cities including London, Newcastle, Birmingham, and Liverpool, despite the lockdown restrictions.