The Government has tabled its plans to restrict repeat protests.

Demonstrations could now be banned based on ‘cumulative disruption’ that previous protests have caused in the area – regardless of if they have been organised by the same people or not. These new plans say that when considering whether to restrict a protest a senior police officer “must” take into account any cumulative disruption caused by past protests. 

The Government’s plans to restrict repeat protests go even further than we had feared and combined with other anti-protest measures in the pipeline like bans on face coverings in the Crime and Policing Bill, will see the right to protest in the UK stripped to the bone. 

We defeated very similar restrictions to this earlier this year when we took the Government to court to protect the right to protest. The fact the Government has reintroduced them but with even further reach is a serious blow to people’s fundamental rights.  

Police already have extensive powers to restrict protests, yet these measures add to an ever-expanding web of anti-protest laws. It is becoming harder and harder for people to exercise their democratic right to protest.

Our ability to use protest to challenge governments and stand up for what we believe in is central to having a healthy, functioning democracy. It must be upheld. 

In solidarity, 

Ruth Ehrlich