Britain: Citizens revolt against bill giving police wider power to curb protests

Riots broke out on Sunday at Bristol, in the south west of England, during a demonstration against him bill which will give the police wider powers to limit them mobilizations protest.

Thousands of protesters gathered in the city center, defying the pandemic ban and ignoring calls from local police to express their views through online mobilizations.

A Reuters photojournalist at the scene said he saw some of the crowd firing sparklers at police, tipping a van, climbing a police station and painting graffiti on its walls.

He also saw police trying to repel protesters using their globes and shields.

Protesters held placards with slogans such as “The day the Republic turned into a Dictatorship” and “You will not silence us so easily.”

Avon and Somerset police called on citizens to avoid the area of ​​Bridwell Street, where the riots continued after nightfall.

In a Twitter post, police described as “unacceptable” the behavior of protesters, who he said threw objects and insulted police, warning that those who committed crimes would be identified and brought to justice.

The new bill being promoted by the government and currently being considered by parliament will allow police to impose restrictions on the duration and noise of street protests. This has angered activists, especially after the violent dispersal of a vigil in memory of Sarah Everard on March 13, who was abducted and killed by a police officer while walking home.

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