Covid: Protester Ali Ceesay won't pay £200 fine

Ali Ceesay joined 50 others in protesting against the decision to strip Rise of its contract to provide support in the city.

The domestic abuse charity has been told that it has not won the £5 million seven-year contract starting in April although it has been providing the service for about £1.4 million a year until now.

It has provided the service for 26 years.

People held a petition of 25,000 signatures in protest against the controversial decision made by Brighton and Hove City Council last week.

People gathered on the seafront on Saturday

However, Sussex Police ordered demonstrators to disperse after about an hour of protesting for breaching lockdown rules on Saturday.

Officers also identified Ms Ceesay as the ‘organiser’ and questioned her over her role in the event.

Refusing to give her details, she left the area but was later visited by officers at her home address and fined £200.

The 40-year-old claims she was told by police that the demonstration was not “legitimate exercise”.

She told The Argus: “I will quite proudly say that I was one of the organisers.”

She added: “Our process was completely lawful and it was designed to fit in with the council guidelines.

“The whole process was designed to enable social distancing.

Police watched on

“The police officer clearly didn’t understand the legislation, which is why I didn’t give them my details.

“They turned up at my house an hour or so later. They made it very clear that I was being charged because I was on the seafront in a way that wasn’t part of my legitimate daily exercise.

“Nobody asked me at any point during the incident if I was exercising.

“I will be complaining and I won’t be paying the fine.

“This is what we women have to always fight about. It doesn’t matter how reasonable we are or what we do, it comes down to a bloke telling us right from wrong.

“I am so utterly thankful for Lloyd Russell-Moyle. He was remarkable and it was really wonderful to see him. I can’t thank Lloyd and Peter enough.”

WATCH >> Lloyd Russell-Moyle confronts officers at Brighton protest

Labour MPs Peter Kyle and Lloyd Russell-Moyle attended the protest in support of the demonstration.

In a video captured by The Argus, Mr Russell-Moyle can be seen at the centre of the debate, questioning why the officers needed Ms Ceesay’s details.

Current lockdown restrictions mean people must stay at home and only go out if you have “a reasonable excuse”.

You are not to meet people socially unless you live together or form a support bubble.

People breaking these rules can face fines, including an £800 penalty for those attending house parties of more than 15 people - and a £10,000 fine for the organisers.

As the officers grew increasingly frustrated, one can be heard to ask Mr Russell-Moyle if he was the one who organised the event.

The Brighton Kemptown MP responded: “I may or may not have.

“You know where Peter Kyle and I are, so why not contact us who are both here at a legitimate socially distanced protest.

“I am happy to give you my details because my details are in the public domain.”

Upon leaving, Ms Ceesay and Mr Russell-Moyle were followed by the three officers, who attempted to walk after them.

Police then stopped giving chase as they crossed the road and left the area.

A police spokesman said: “While on community safety patrols in response to the coronavirus pandemic, police came across a group of people holding a protest in Lower King’s Road, Brighton, on Saturday, February 27 at 12 noon.

“The group were spoken to by officers who informed them that they were in breach of the regulations and needed to disperse, which they did shortly afterwards. The organiser was identified and later given a fine for breach of Covid rules”

Crowds enjoyed the sun

Meanwhile crowds flocked to the seafront to enjoy the sun, days after the Prime Minister announced his lockdown exit plan.

Crowds were pictured at Brighton and Worthing seafronts making the most of the sunshine. In Brighton, people were pictured enjoying the weekend on the beach, watching on as paddleboarders took to the water.

The good weather brought many out to exercise, walking and running along the seafront.

From March 29, people from two households, or groups of up to six, can meet outdoors and outdoor sport and leisure facilities will reopen.

Organised outdoor sport will also be allowed.