Your right to protest: Sign the petition
Updated: Mar 21, 2021
The government is making changes to the law that will restrict the right to protest.
Police will be given new powers to crack down on peaceful protests that are deemed to be 'disruptive'.
Protesters could face up to 10 years' in prison for breaching the rules, which including imposing start and finish times and maximum noise levels on protests.
Even the police have said that the new laws go too far.
Claire commented, "The draconian laws outlined in the Bill would give the police powers to effectively ban peaceful protest.
"Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of democracy, empowering the public to have a say on the things that really matter to them.
"The Extinction Rebellion and Black Lives Matter protests last year did so much to highlight the need for action on climate change and racism respectively. But under the proposed law change, these protests would likely be deemed unlawful."
Want to add your voice to the people speaking out against these worrying new developments? There are two petitions to sign: 38 Degrees and Parliament Petition.
If you can, write to your MP too.