Why you should be concerned about the government’s plans to ban repeat protests.

What’s Happening?

The Government’s Crime and Policing Bill is currently going through Parliament. Late in this law-making process, they’ve added in new clauses that would place restrictions on repeat protests.

If this is voted into law, senior police officers must consider the “cumulative disruption” caused by previous – or even future – protests in the area as a reason to ban demonstration, regardless of whether they were organised by the same people or focused on the same issues.

They would also decide what area is restricted, with no clear rules on how big or small an area can be. This means we could see borough or city-wide bans on protests, simply because a different demonstration took place the week before.

This is the latest in a wave of anti-protest powers introduced by successive governments that have made it harder and riskier for people to protest. New restrictions, new offences, and a raft of new penalties – from arrest and imprisonment to electronic tagging and unlimited fines – have given the police immense powers to crack down on demonstrations.

Combined with other restrictions such as banning face coverings at demonstrations, the Crime and Policing Bill could see our fundamental right to protest stripped to the bone.

Who will this Impact?

This will affect anyone who wants to speak out on important issues they care about.

This law wouldn’t just ban frequent large-scale marches; it could restrict emergency demonstrations on issues of grave importance, or the right to organise counter-protests.

We know that change rarely happens from a one-off demonstration outside Parliament; votes for women took nearly a century to achieve, as did a two-day weekend. Many of the rights and freedoms we cherish today – LGBTQ+ rights, access to the countryside and much more – wouldn’t exist without people repeatedly campaigning in the streets for change.

Our ability to stand up for what matters to us – from demanding an end to war to opposing local library closures – is central to a healthy, functioning democracy.

Banning repeat protests will effectively silence our voices, protect the powerful and prevent meaningful change.

What are we calling for?

Protest has always been a part of British culture and tradition. But it’s under threat – and we must act urgently to protect it.

That’s why we’re opposing government plans to limit where and when we can protest.

Email the House of Lords and call on them to scrap dangerous anti-protest measures that would strip us of our fundamental rights and freedoms.