“KILL THE BILL”: JOHNSON CONDEMNS NEW UNREST IN ENGLISH CITY OF BRISTOL

Sat 27 March 2021:

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday condemned “disgraceful attacks” on police after a third night of violence hit the western city of Bristol by protesters condemning new crime legislation.

Police in Bristol arrested 10 people on Friday night after what they called “violent conduct” at the protest, which swelled to 1,000 participants despite a government ban on mass gatherings owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

Previous “Kill the Bill” demonstrations in Bristol last Sunday and Tuesday also turned violent, with protesters demanding the withdrawal of the legislation, which critics say harshly restricts the right to peaceful protest.

“Last night saw disgraceful attacks against police officers in Bristol,” Johnson said on Twitter.

“Our officers should not have to face having bricks, bottles and fireworks being thrown at them by a mob intent on violence and causing damage to property,” he said.

Last night saw disgraceful attacks against police officers in Bristol.

Our officers should not have to face having bricks, bottles and fireworks being thrown at them by a mob intent on violence and causing damage to property.

The police and the city have my full support.

— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) March 27, 2021

“The police and the city have my full support.”Protesters in Bristol have accused police of excessive force, and mocked them on Friday after the local force was forced to admit that it was mistaken in initially saying some officers had suffered broken bones last Sunday.

The home secretary, Priti Patel, said she was “disgusted” by the scenes, describing the demonstrators as “thugs” who were “only intent on causing trouble”.

“I’m in no doubt the silent, law-abiding majority will be appalled by the actions of this criminal minority,” she said.

Police under fire

Police have come under fire for their treatment of a reporter at demonstrations in Bristol on Friday night, during violent clashes between officers and protesters.

Police assaulted me at the Bristol protest even though I told them I was from the press. I was respectfully observing what was happening and posed no threat to any of the officers. I have muted the latter part of the video to spare you all the pain of hearing my shrill voice. pic.twitter.com/a7a0Nnw0bG

— Matthew Dresch (@MatthewDresch) March 27, 2021

Daily Mirror journalist Matthew Dresch shared video footage that appeared to show police pushing him and hitting him with a baton as he shouted that he was a member of the press.

Twitter users described the incident as “outrageous” and “appalling”. Avon and Somerset police said that they were “making efforts to contact” Dresch.

Labour MP Nadia Whittome called for an investigation into the policing of the demonstrations.

“Reports of protesters and journalists injured last night in Bristol. The case for an independent investigation into the policing of the #BristolProtests is clear,” she tweeted.

There have been a series of protests in Bristol against the police, crime, sentencing and courts bill, which would give police in England and Wales more power to impose conditions on peaceful protests, including those deemed too noisy or a nuisance.

Critics argue this infringes on the right to free and peaceful expression, and has led to a protest movement under the slogan “kill the bill”.

Further protests against the bill are planned later Saturday in British cities including Manchester, Nottingham and Sheffield, but police are warning people to stay away because of the coronavirus ban.