The real impact of banning face coverings at protests

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

Protest is a human right, available to everyone. It’s guaranteed by the law and upheld by the police. Or it should be.

In recent years, successive governments have clamped down on our right to speak out on issues we care about. Tougher laws and penalties are making it more difficult for people to express their views.

Now, the latest anti-protest proposal comes in the form of the Crime and Policing Bill, which is currently going through Parliament. If passed in its current form, police would have the ability to ban face coverings at designated protests and, in addition, be able arrest or fine anyone breaching this condition.

This is repressive and wrong.

Many people can only protest safely with a face covering. This ban would stop them from speaking out on issues they care about.

We recently asked Liberty supporters why they wear face coverings at protests. Their powerful responses make it clear that banning face coverings at protests will impact countless groups of people who will be unable to exercise their fundamental right.

HOW THIS IMPACTS US

“I am clinically vulnerable, so I would not go into crowded areas without a face mask. Forcing disabled people like me to unmask is surely disability discrimination?” 

“As a single woman I do not want to be identified and risk being targeted by potentially violent or aggressive men. Women who have experienced domestic abuse may cover their faces for the same reason.” 

“I shall be aged 77 in January and have bouts of asthma. I sometimes wear a mask in a crowded place to protect myself from traffic pollution and possible infection and would feel obliged to avoid situations like demonstrations and rallies, if I couldn’t do that. Many other vulnerable and / or elderly people would, I am sure, feel the same.”

“I might wear a face covering because I would be worried about the facial recognition cameras that the police use, then my face would end up on a police data base when I hadn’t even committed any wrongdoing.”

“I was speaking to a (much more active) protester recently – one who frequently films protest actions. He was concerned and justifiably frightened that he had recently been identified, named and singled out by anti-migrant protesters.” 

“I am a clinically vulnerable person, and I wear a respirator mask everywhere indoors or in crowded outdoor spaces. I would not be able to freely exercise my right to protest if face coverings were banned at protests. This is an attack on my rights, and I feel very strongly about it.” 

“I choose to try and wear a face covering at demonstrations where there’s a fear of being doxxed by some people of violence.” 

“I have so far never worn a face covering at a protest but find it deeply disturbing that this Bill seeks to ban them. I may wish to wear one to protect myself or others from infection or from digital facial recognition, which I never expected to be used so widely in this country. It is outrageous the way that ordinary peaceful protest is increasingly being restricted and threatened.” 

“I wear a face covering as I am very concerned about being criminalised for ‘repeat protesting’. This fear is amplified by this govt ratcheting up anti-protest laws and the police increasing use of facial recognition.” 

TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT OUR RIGHTS

Protest has always been a part of British culture and has won us some of our most cherished rights and freedoms. But it’s under threat – and we must act urgently to protect it.

Join us in calling on the Government to scrap face covering restrictions from their Crime and Policing Bill to uphold everyone’s fundamental right to protest.