Sunday Sun

Protesters gather in city centre

ANOTHER ‘KILL THE BILL’ DEMONSTRAT­ION PASSES PEACEFULLY

- By Katie Dickinson Reporter katie.dickinson@reachplc.com

DOZENS of ‘Kill the Bill’ protesters gathered in Newcastle city centre for another day of action against the Government’s controvers­ial new crime bill.

Demonstrat­ors took to the streets yesterday afternoon to noisily show their opposition to the proposed new police powers and laws.

The Newcastle event was one of several taking place across the country, prompted by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.

The controvers­ial legislatio­n would give police and the Home Secretary increased powers to stop protests.

It proposes to give police in England and Wales more power to impose conditions on non-violent protests, including those which are deemed too noisy or a nuisance.

The group initially gathered at Monument at around 1pm, with a number of demonstrat­ors invited to speak.

One was met with cheers and applause as he said: “The ability to

protest gives us, the individual, the chance to keep the people in power in check. To get rid of that right seems wrong – that’s why we’re here today.”

Protesters then made their way up Northumber­land Street to Newcastle Civic Centre, chanting “Kill the Bill” and “Whose streets? Our Streets” as they marched through the city.

Among those who attended was Vanessa Cope, who said: “The bills give the police tremendous amounts of power. Protests are meant to be a nuisance, they’re meant to be noticed.

“I hope the momentum will continue and we can squash these bills.”

Another demonstrat­or, Marco Olivier, said: “The right to protest is central for any democracy. The bills they’re trying to pass are damaging to our society.

“I have seen a lot of police brutality and it’s scary to know that the police are going to get more power.”

 ??  ?? ■ Hundreds of
‘Kill the Bill’ protesters gather
at Grey’s Monument,
Newcastle
■ Hundreds of ‘Kill the Bill’ protesters gather at Grey’s Monument, Newcastle
 ??  ?? ■ Protesters in Newcastle
■ Protesters in Newcastle

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