PROTESTERS have gathered outside Brighton Police Station to demonstrate against new legislation proposed by the government.
People from across the city were seen to gather outside the station in John Street to protest against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
MPs voted 359 to 263, a majority of 96, at the second reading of the bill this evening.
It comes after the death of Sarah Everard - and police's handling of a vigil in London for her over the weekend - sparked controversy over the bill and its contents.
People fear it will give police greater powers to police protests and curtail the right to demonstrate.
At the reading Green MP Caroline Lucas has spoke of her “first-hand experience” of the “disproportionality of the police”.
Ms Lucas told the Commons: “It is a knee-jerk reaction to last year’s Black Lives Matter and Extinction Rebellion protests because some right-wing MPs didn’t like them.
“In particular, the process is silencing the voices of marginalised communities who should be heard, as well as the MPs who seek to represent them.
READ MORE >> Brighton protesters gather outside John Street Police Station
“Just this weekend we have seen what else is in the government’s sights, women attending peaceful vigils in memory of Sarah Everard who were pinned to the ground simply for exercising their rights.
“Which brings me on to disproportionality. Having seen the response from Clapham Common on Saturday night, it beggars belief this government is giving more powers and discretion to them via this legislation.
“As one of the few MPs to have been arrested during a peaceful protest, in my case against fracking – and subsequently after a week’s court case acquitted of any wrongdoing – I can tell (Priti Patel) I have first-hand experience of the disproportionate action of the police.”
The body of Ms Everard was found in a rural area near Ashford in Kent last week.
Serving Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, appeared in court accused of her kidnap and murder.
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