ACTIVISTS GATHERED in Parliament Square, Trafalgar Square and parts of the West End to protest against the proposed policing bill.

Critics have pointed out that the bill could give police more power at protests, and disproportionately harm ethnic minorities.

The bill comes almost a year after George Floyd’s death sparked Black Lives Matter demonstrations across the UK.

At the protests last night and yesterday afternoon, three people were arrested on suspicion of breaching the Health Protection Regulations. Two remain in custody and the third was released after being issued with a fixed penalty notice. A fourth person was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and remains in custody.

Two other people were also given fixed penalty notices.

Campaign group All Lives Matter UK updated their followers over the course of the evening, sharing advice about legal observers. At one point, the group said police kettled protesters, and advised their supporters that the protest was not safe.

‘We will not cease’

In conjunction with a range of social justice groups, they published a statement this morning. They repeated their concerns about increased police powers and suggested that clashes between the police and protesters could continue.

“Unless Her Majesty’s government changes its current course of action, we cannot foresee that the mounting public unrest from all sides will cease, nor that it should,” a statement read.

“We would like to remind the Home Secretary and the government that they serve by democratic mandate that is handed to them by the will of the people. We, the signees, and millions across the country, will continue to unite and fight to protect the fundamental human rights that every single one of us is entitled to.”

The statement was signed by a range of anti-racist, anti-oppression, LGBTQ+ and Extinction Rebellion groups.

In an open letter to prime minister Boris Johnson, published by The Voice yesterday, campaigners pointed out that the new bill will increase racial disparity. The signatories are calling on the government to withdraw elements of the bill that could contribute to this. They are also asking for a proper, public consultation, that includes minority ethnic groups.

On social media, #KillTheBill is trending.

The Policing, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill is being debated in the House of Commons for the second day in a row today.

In response to the protest yesterday, the Metropolitan Police released a statement online.

It read: “The Met maintained an appropriate policing plan during the protest based around the ‘4 Es’ approach with officers initially engaging with those in attendance.

“Throughout the evening, the protesters began to block a number of roads including Victoria Embankment and Westminster Bridge causing traffic disruption.

“The protesters were encouraged to leave the area and many chose to do so; however, a number remained in Westminster.”