Kill the Bill: hundreds march through Brighton in protest

The group, which was over 100-strong, started at the peace statue in Hove Lawns, before walking through town to Brighton Police station to demonstrate.

The protest caused disruption to roads and caught the attention of weekend shoppers, with many passersby showing their support.

Protesters stopped at the Jubilee Clock Tower junction, as well as the junction at the bottom of North Street to voice their disgust at the controversial Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which is currently in its report stage in the House of Lords.

• READ MORE: Hundreds to hit the streets again in protest against controversial policing bill

The bill includes plans to give police in England and Wales more powers to impose conditions on non-violent protests judged to be too noisy and thereby causing “intimidation and harassment” or “serious unease, alarm or distress” to the public.

These include imposing start and finish times and setting noise limits - and protesters refusing to comply could be fined up to £2,500, under the proposals.

The conditions would apply to a single person staging a protest as well as groups.

Protesters walking past St Peter's Church in Brighton

The group met at 12pm today, before setting off up towards the Jubilee Clock Tower where they sat down in the main junction that connects North Street and West Street.

The protesters then went down North Street and stopped again, before walking up past Brighton Magistrates’ Court to Brighton Police Station on John Street.

After this, the group went back down towards St Peter’s Church and finished their protest at the Level.

Kill the Bill protest this afternoon in #Brighton.

Started from the Peace Statue on Hove Lawns, all the way down to Brighton Police station in John Street. pic.twitter.com/0RGNpAjEi0

— George Carden (@_GeorgeCarden) January 15, 2022

Many people beeped their horns and clapped in support of the group, who were chanting “this is what democracy looks like” and chants about home secretary Priti Patel.

While a few people walking past shouted their disapproval at the protest.

One of the protesters said at the end: “This is not the first and won’t be the last time, we’re here to protest for our beliefs.”

Walking past St Peter's Church

He added: “So what I want everyone to do next time we’re out here, bring all the people you know. We’re going to come back and express how we feel.

“This is not over. We’re just getting started, we’re not going to allow this bill to pass.”

One of the protesters, from Brighton, said she has been contacting councillors and MPs asking for their support.

She said: “As a female I would have nothing if I didn’t have the right to protest. Not to vote, and little in the ways of work. Suffragettes before me stood up for their rights and that has given me, a woman, a right to protest, to vote, to work and be equal.

The group marched to Brighton Police Station

“While the thought of being charged penalties for making my voice heard seems unjust and against human rights. Freedom of speech is what helps define greatness, by not only noting the injustice that may be unknowing to you but by being open to change and progression.

“Progression may I add being from the eyes and mouth of the many, the many that now have very little in terms of hope. Our voices are not heard. Please don’t take what little we have left of our pride.

“We don’t want to turn into a police state, turning into a police state puts us one step closer to an Orwellian future. We don’t want that.”

Lloyd Russell-Moyle, MP for Kemptown, opposes the bill and tweeted his support for kill the bill yesterday.

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